On behalf of the OIC Group, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Ambassador Abdullah Al-Maalami, congratulated the Chairman and members of the Bureau of the Six-member Committee of the General Assembly, on item 107 Measures, to eliminate international terrorism. This came in a speech delivered by Al-Maalami on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Group, stressing the full group's support of the elected committee. He stressed that terrorism was a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, and said that terrorism also contradicted the practices and principles of Islam. The OIC Group reaffirmed its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations United Nations. In his address to the Committee, the Ambassador reiterated that terrorism should not be linked to any religion, race, values, culture or society, strongly condemning any attempt to link Islam to terrorism, thus, rejecting religious hatred, discrimination and hostility against Muslims, while emphasizing the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding and cooperation between religions, cultures and civilizations for peace and harmony, in the world, saying we welcome in this regard all international and regional initiatives and efforts. OIC Group reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in combating terrorism and the importance of a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism by addressing the root causes of terrorism, including the illegal use of force, aggression, foreign occupation, chronic international conflicts, political marginalization, and to combat terrorist groups and organizations, wherever they might be, without discrimination.
