Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid called for a mechanism to address the challenge of Islamophobia affecting the lives of Muslims across the world. Shahid raised the issue of Islamophobia, gender parity, and terrorism in his address to the 47th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) in Niamey, Niger. 

“He (Abdullah Shahid) also called for a mechanism where the OIC and the wider international community works together to counter the prevailing atmosphere of Islamophobia around the world, that has afflicted the lives of many Muslims,” reads a statement issued by the Maldives’ government. 

Shahid also called all member states to “unconditionally reject terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.” The foreign minister also asked muslims countries to work towards making their societies more “inclusive” and to achieve gender parity. 

“The Maldives joined the OIC’s Women’s Development Organization last year and took part in the First Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Women’s Development Organization in October of this year,” reads the statement, urging other OIC members to join the efforts. 

Given the pandemic and subsequent economic setbacks, Shahid made the case for concessional financing and aid especially for small nations within the OIC. He also highlighted the Maldives’ efforts, saying the country had to make “unprecedented and difficult measures.”