The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) organized an event titled "The Rohingya's plight: A pressing issue for the international community", on Monday on the sidelines of the 41st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Ambassador Nassima Baghli, OIC Permanent Observer to the United Nations based in Geneva, emphasized in her speech the OIC's longstanding commitment to the cause of Rohingya and reiterated OIC's call on the Myanmar authorities to take immediate and concrete steps to restore the basic human rights of the Rohingya, including the right to citizenship. The session witnessed presentations by Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, head of the EU Delegation, Deputy Permanent Representative of Malaysia, and representatives from the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The event stressed the need for Myanmar authorities to ensure the accountability of the perpetrators of heinous crimes committed against the Rohingya. It also urged Myanmar to take the necessary measures to enable and ensure a safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to their homeland. OIC announces aid for development programs The OIC has approved the allocation, through the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF), of new financial assistance for development and education to a number of its member states as well as for Muslim Communities in non-OIC member states as part of its ongoing programs around the world. The new batch of assistance includes support for the Islamic University in Niger, the Solidarity Society for Charitable Action in Thailand, the Islamic Federation in Gambia, President Mahmoud Abbas Institution, Haj Nejib Educational Center in Sri Lanka, King Faisal University in Chad, the Muslim Relief Society in Uganda, Ibn Saud Educational Islamic Center in Uganda, the Solidarity Hospital in Senegal, Indar Society in Senegal, Al-Quds Smile Society in Palestine and the Arakan Union of the Rohingya in Bangladesh and Malaysia. Al-Othaimeen said in a statement that these assistance grants underscore the OIC's solidarity with its member states and its supportive stand in favor of the Muslim communities around the world in pursuance of the noble mission it has been entrusted with. The OIC has earlier expressed its appreciation to the headquarter state, Saudi Arabia, chairman of the current summit conference, for its generous contribution of $9 million to the Islamic Solidarity Fund's budget to help it carry through its charitable programs for the benefit of Muslim communities around the world. The ISF's fundamental vision is geared towards the uplift of the dignity and intellectual level of the Muslim peoples and to extend material support to the Muslim countries to prop them up socially and culturally. The ISF also extends humanitarian emergency relief to Islamic states and Muslim minorities that may meet with natural disasters or crises.
