Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel, has strongly condemned Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian territory, denouncing them as a direct threat to regional peace and stability. Speaking at the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Istanbul, Dr Khaleel also called for an immediate and unconditional end to the ongoing military aggression in Gaza.
Delivering his address at the high-level summit, Dr Khaleel warned that continued inaction by the international community in the face of Israel’s actions would not only embolden further violence but also stain the collective conscience of the Islamic world.
“If we fail to act now, history will judge us. The Ummah looks to us. The oppressed depend on us to be the voice for the voiceless—to end the injustice unfolding before our eyes,” he said.
The Minister described the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza as one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern times, citing alarming figures: over 50,000 Palestinians killed, more than 100,000 injured, including 17,000 children, and the widespread destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses.
He reiterated the Maldives’ unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, commending President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s decision earlier this year to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives. Dr Khaleel said the policy reflects the Maldives’ clear moral stance and its solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Dr Khaleel also condemned Israel’s “reckless” recent strikes on Iranian territory, calling it yet another assault on the stability of the region. He stressed that the Maldives firmly rejects such acts of aggression and urged the international community to act decisively to halt further escalation.
Calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the Foreign Minister demanded the immediate and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to affected populations. “Peace cannot prevail without an independent and sovereign state of Palestine,” he said, affirming that the Maldives supports a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
He expressed Maldives’ readiness to support international efforts including the Saudi-led initiative for the two-state solution and the Gaza Reconstruction Plan, aimed at restoring dignity, stability, and long-denied rights to the Palestinian people.
Dr Khaleel also praised the OIC’s leadership for consistently advocating for the interests of the Islamic Ummah on the global stage. He concluded by urging member states to remain united in the face of rising challenges, stating that faith, shared values, and collective resolve must guide the Ummah toward a future rooted in justice and peace.
The OIC summit in Istanbul brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from across the Muslim world to address key political, humanitarian, and security concerns affecting the Islamic community globally.
