Solution lies in dialogue

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said all differences of opinion and views that Islamic world have been experiencing can be resolved by open-minded discussions and dialogue.

Bloodshed is unnecessary and indeed counter-productive, said the premier.

Reiterating her steadfast stand against terrorism and four-point proposal she made in Riyadh Conference in 2017, the premier said the points still remain valid to address terrorism.

She made the comments at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day 45th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the capital. 

"We should stop supply of arms, stop flow of financing for terrorism, remove divisions within the [Muslim] Ummah (community), and pursue peaceful settlement of conflicts through dialogues resulting in a win-win situation," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said with one fifth of the world's population, more than a third of the world's strategic resources, and a number of rising economies with immense prospects, the Muslim world has no reason to remain behind.

Islamic countries must redesign their strategy of joint Islamic action, she said, adding, "Development is our right, economic prosperity is within our reach, and social progress is within our means."

In this context, she gave five suggestions so that Islamic countries unitedly can protect their values, wealth and civilisation.

Firstly, she said, Islamic countries must keep trust in basic Islamic faith, banish sectarian mindset and stop using religion as a tool for divisive purposes or narrow political gains.

Secondly, OIC countries should resolve all conflicts peacefully and solve all issues politically without giving any scope of interference and intervention to detractors.

Thirdly, OIC countries should live an enlightened life of self-awareness without compromising their fundamental faith, to stamp out Islamophobia.

"We should foster value-based international relations to show the way to an enlightened global order," she added.

Fourthly, she said, OIC countries should pursue a fast track development course to eliminate poverty and hunger, and address humanitarian exigencies and collective actions to implement the OIC-2025 Programme of Action.

"Finally, we should constantly seek inspiration and strength from the eternal values of Islam -- peace, moderation, fraternity, equality, justice and compassion," the premier said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu had realised the necessity of a collective voice of the Ummah on issues of global importance, as to why Bangladesh, under his visionary leadership, joined OIC in 1974.

"Bangabandhu gave importance to unity and solidarity within the Ummah in its common aspirations of peace, prosperity, development and security. His vision still inspires us to move ahead as a nation," she said.

In her speech, the prime minister also highlighted Bangladesh's economic progress and accession to the status of a developing country from LDC despite frontline battle against climate change and other constraints.

"Bangladesh is moving ahead under the 2021 Vision of a digital country and then of a developed one by 2041," she said.

OIC Secretary General presented a Gilaf (cover) of Holy Kaaba to Sheikh Hasina.

The premier also inaugurated a commemorative postal stamp marking the 45th meeting of the foreign ministers of OIC countries.