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PR. No.180/2008
Date: 18/06/2008
PAKISTAN HANDS OVER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE OIC COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS TO UGANDA
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi opened the 35 th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Kampala and handed over the Chairmanship to His Excellency Sam Kutesa, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uganda .
In his opening speech at the Council, the Foreign Minister characterized the exercise pertaining to revision of the OIC Charter accomplished under Pakistan 's Chairmanship, as a landmark event. He added that the new Charter will help OIC transform itself into an organization that truly reflects aspirations and potential of the Ummah – comprising over one sixth of humanity in the 21 st century. Highlighting other important accomplishments in the year of Pakistan 's Chairmanship, the Foreign Minister cited OIC's continued and unstinted support to the Palestinian people. He characterized the Palestinian issue as the main source of discontent in the Muslim world.
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi thanked the OIC for consistent support to the right to self determination of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan 's effort for a settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The Foreign Minister further briefed the Council on Pakistan 's effort, during the year of Chairmanship, to effectively address important challenges faced by the Ummah. He particularly mentioned the mandate for the Organisation to work on a legally binding international instrument on discrimination or instigation of hatred against any religion. He underscored the importance of a unified stance within the Ummah, and a sustained and constructive engagement with the West to address Islamophobia and defamation of Islam.
Later in their statements at the Council, Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General OIC and H.E. Sam Kutesa, the Foreign Minister of Uganda paid rich tributes to Pakistan 's efficient and effective Chairmanship over the last year. Similar sentiments were echoed by other Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegations in their statements.
The three-day Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, inaugurated today by His Excellency Yuweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, will address wide ranging political, economic and cultural matters on the OIC Agenda, and is expected to adopt Resolutions on important issues including Palestine and Kashmir.
Islamabad
18 June 2008
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