OIC agrees to hold National Reconciliation Convention In Iraq to address sectarian divisions

Baghdad, 29 March. - (ANA) - Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the world’s second largest inter-governmental body after the UN, met with Iraq’s President and Foreign Minister on March 26-27th during an official visit to Iraq. The OIC Secretary General agreed to hold an Iraqi National Reconciliation Conference aimed at reconciling Iraq’s Sunni and Shi’ite communities.
The OIC hosted a similar national reconciliation convention for Iraq in October 2006 in Makkah, dubbed "Makkah I". During that convention, 29 leading Iraqi Sunni and Shi'ite scholars reached agreement on the need to take practical steps to end sectarian violence in Iraq – resulting in the ‘Makkah Document’. Backed by the then Iraqi prime minister, it was notable for receiving the support of top Iraqi religious clerics – both Sunni and Shia.
The current Iraqi Foreign Minister, Dr. Ibrahim al-Jaafari, conveyed Iraq's support for holding another such national unity convention to be called "Makkah II” in his talks with the OIC Secretary General, Iyad Ameen Madani.
It was agreed that a high level technical group would be created to start preparations for the Makkah II convention, which would aim to build unity between Iraq’s Sunni and Shi’ite Muslim communities.
Mr Madani was also received by the President of Iraq, Mr. Fuad Masum, who praised the efforts of the OIC in its willingness to pursue the "Makkah II" initiative. He reiterated Iraq’s intention to work with the OIC General Secretariat to ensure the success of the initiative.
Talks also focused on the OIC's support for Iraq's security, stability and territorial integrity; and reaffirming OIC's stand with Iraq as it faces up to all forms of terrorism.
The Secretary General also met with Mr. Jan Kubis, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Iraq, and discussed the situation in the region and the ongoing cooperation between the OIC and the UN in support of international peace and security.
The OIC Secretary General’s visit, followed an official visit to Iraq made by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon the day before, where hecalled for renewed efforts to foster reconciliation between Iraq’s Shi'ite and Sunni communities in order to defeat DAESH (ISIS), who have exploited the country’s divisions.
The Secretary General, Iyad Madani, said "The OIC welcomes the positive response of Iraqi officials to the "Makkah II" initiative. As the collective voice of the Muslim world which represents 57-member states globally, the OIC has a special duty to strengthen relations between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslim communities and is committed to working with the Iraqi Government to achieve this goal within Iraq.”
The OIC was founded in 1969 and is the second largest inter-governmental organisation in the world with 57 sovereign member states from across the Islamic world. The organisation is “the collective voice of the Muslim world and works to "safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony". - (ANA) -

AB/ANA/ 29 March 2016 - - -