Oman's speech at the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference
The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs represented Oman at the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference in the Gambian capital Banjul.
Oman's delegation was headed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saeed Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs. The text of his speech is as follows:
“In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our master Mohammed and his family and all his companions.
“Adama Barrow, President of the friendly Republic of The Gambia, your Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses and Excellencies, His Excellency the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, ladies and gentlemen, may the peace, blessings and mercy of Allah be upon you.
“Firstly, I have the honour to convey to you the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, Sultan of Oman, and his sincere wishes of success for this blessed gathering.
“The slogan of this summit, “Promoting unity and solidarity through dialogue for sustainable development”, has come at the appropriate time and it is undoubtedly a topic of great importance. It calls on all of us in the Islamic world to deepen our cooperation and strengthen the ties that unite us in our common endeavour towards achieving a prosperous present and a sustainable future for our peoples and the peoples of the entire world.
“This summit is being held while the world is still burdened with issues, conflicts and crises, not to mention the repercussions of climate change on our planet and the urgent need to mitigate its effects, heal sectarian, ethnic and religious divisions, close the digital, food and medicine gaps and meet challenges and goals so that everyone can benefit from justice and constructive international cooperation.
“Our Islamic world today has great responsibilities that require us to redouble our efforts and adopt effective initiatives and policies to confront these common challenges, unify positions and intensify joint action to combat the scourges of extremism, terrorism, policies of discrimination, hatred and Islamophobia and to promote the values of tolerance and coexistence in the world.
“Dear attendees, today our region is witnessing tension and a military escalation that threatens its safety and stability. This is a natural outcome of the brutal Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and its repercussions, which my country, the Sultanate of Oman, has repeatedly warned against in light of the failure of the international community to stop this senseless war and deter Israel from its continued violations of international law, and the inability of the United Nations Security Council to adopt resolutions recognising the State of Palestine, despite the global consensus on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to establish their independent state.
“My country, the Sultanate of Oman, has always affirmed its position in supporting this issue in international and regional meetings and at all levels. It has opened dialogues with various countries of the world in order to stop the war and presented its oral argument before the International Court of Justice last February regarding Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territories. .
“We are fully convinced with great certainty that the blood of the innocent, honourable sons of Palestine will not be shed in vain and that the scales of divine justice will not fail this steadfast people and the banner of truth will fly in the sky of the independent Palestinian state with Allah’s help.
“Dear attendees, today's world is an interconnected world made more complex and turbulent by crises and challenges which makes awakening the human conscience and renewing our commitment to common values indispensable necessities to preserve the humanity that unites us and to preserve what remains of morality and compassion.
“The basis for that is the statement of truth: “And we have honoured the children of Adam, and we have carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with good things, and have favoured them over many of those who are evil.”
“An awakened conscience is enough to remind a person that he is part of the fabric of this vast world, belongs to humanity and works for his fellow man wherever he is. Also, awakening the human conscience means resetting the moral compass of the person of this world to push him to build a world of justice mercy and peace.
“This is the goal of all messages: “And we have not sent you except as a mercy to the world.”
“Man, by his normal nature, is designed to embrace the spirit of collective humanity, and by his nature is able to feel for others. Awakening the conscience – which we call for – is to rise above the causes of difference and to enhance empathy and compassion among people based on our belief that the present is the foundation of the future and that the good that we offer today contributes to the renaissance of tomorrow and building a better future for all.
“We are thankful to the Republic of The Gambia and its President, His Excellency Adama Barrow, for their warm welcome and hospitality
“We hope for this summit, and for this blessed gathering, all success, goodness and facilitation.
“Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah.”
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.