Dar urges stronger OIC-UN partnership to promote global peace, tolerance
NEW YORK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called for strengthening the partnership between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations to foster a culture of peace and tolerance in a world marred by conflicts.
Speaking at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) High-Level Event on Peace and Tolerance, held in New York to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), he stressed that this partnership should prioritise promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue, safeguarding sacred sites and religious symbols, and combating terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms.
He also underscored the importance of mobilising humanitarian support — including through mechanisms such as Zakat and Waqf — while highlighting the need to empower women and youth through education, science, technology, and active participation in peacebuilding.
Dar referred to the universal relevance of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) legacy, citing the Charter of Medina as a timeless model of pluralism, dialogue, and interfaith relations grounded in mutual respect and understanding.
In his remarks, he emphasised the transformative impact of the Prophet’s teachings, noting that his philosophy of justice, tolerance, and peace resonates strongly with the principles of the UN Charter.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Dar also stressed the challenges confronting the Muslim Ummah, including the global surge in Islamophobia and unresolved conflicts such as Palestine and Kashmir. He urged fellow Muslim states to intensify efforts to safeguard Muslims’ fundamental rights and to end fratricidal divisions within the Ummah. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to these objectives and its readiness to collaborate with OIC member states and the wider international community in this collective endeavor. Staff Report
