OIC rejects linking terrorism with religion, calls for ending Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories

ISLAMABAD, Jun 01 (APP):Calling for an agenda of peaceful coexistence, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday denounced linking terrorism with any religion or nationality and affirmed centrality of the cause of Palestine and Al-Quds Sharif.
 A Joint Declaration issued at the conclusion of 14th OIC Summit held in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia and signed member States, stressed importance of “standing up against terrorist organizations and enacting deterrent laws and controls to counter the scourge of terrorism”.
Prime Minister Imran Khan joined other Muslim leaders at the OIC Summit, which was chaired by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. 
The declaration underscored the necessity of working toward “preserving security and stability and opening venues of investment and sustainable development, with the aim of realising dignified life and prosperity for Muslim societies.”
The declaration called for an end to Israeli occupation of Arab and Palestinian territories and affirmed solidarity with the Palestinian people for their independent and sovereign state with Al Quds as its capital. 
It called upon the member States and the Organization’s institutions, including the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Solidarity Fund, to assist the Comoros, the Republic of Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and SierraLeone in their development programmes.
The OIC member States condemned all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion, color or faith, as well as decrying sectarianism, and confessional fanaticism in all their forms and manifestations.
The declaration affirmed that those in charge of social media had huge responsibilities in achieving the goals and objectives of Islamic fraternity and keeping away from stirring chaos and dissent among the members of the Islamic nations.
The document underscored the importance of standing by those Muslims in non-Islamic nations who suffer persecution, injustice, coercion and aggression. 
The OIC Member States in this regard reaffirmed full support to those Muslim communities and their determination to adopt their causes in international fora to ensure the realisation of their political and social rights.
The declaration underscored the need for OIC to be cognizant of changes and developments at the international level, which required it to develop its programmes and tools to play its role at the regional and international levels such as to achieve consensual joint Islamic action.