President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed the Maldives' commitment to strengthening solidarity among Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as the nation celebrates 50 years since joining the Organisation.

In a message marking the milestone, the President said the OIC continues to play an important role in uniting Muslim nations and strengthening cooperation to address challenges facing the Muslim Ummah. He said the Organisation remains as relevant today as it was when it was established, as many issues affecting Muslim communities around the world continue to require collective action.

Reflecting on the Maldives' membership, the President noted that the Maldives joined the OIC on 20 July 1976, less than a decade after the Organisation was established. He said the country's membership marked the beginning of a partnership built on mutual respect for sovereignty, solidarity and support for the development of Member States.

President Dr Muizzu also highlighted that the Maldives has actively contributed to the Organisation over the past five decades through participation in Islamic Summits, meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers and other high-level forums. He also recognised the work of Maldivian diplomats in discussions on climate resilience, women's empowerment, Islamic finance and efforts to strengthen the Organisation.

The President said the relationship between the Maldives and the OIC extends beyond a traditional alliance, with the Organisation's Islamic values and commitment to justice closely reflecting the values of the Maldivian people. He said this is demonstrated through the Maldives' continued advocacy for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, as well as its calls for accountability and justice for the Rohingya Muslims and other Muslim communities around the world.

Concluding his message, President Dr Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives' commitment to supporting the objectives of the OIC and strengthening solidarity among its Member States. He also called for practical and timely solutions to the challenges facing the Muslim world today.