VP Ssekandi at OIC summit in Turkey

Ugandan vice presıdent Edward Kıwanuka Ssekandi is in Turkey where he has joined other leaders from the Organısatıon of Islamıc Cooperatıon (OIC) to deliberate on the challenges facing Islamic countries in the wake of heightened terrorism.

The 13th session of the OIC is being attended by leaders from 56 member countries in Istanbul. A total of 29 African leaders are attending the summit.

Opening the conference on Thursday, the Presıdent of Turkey Tayyıp Erdogan said sectarianism is the biggest source of danger facing the Muslim world, saying all need to unite to handle the problems themselves.

Warning against foreign intervention and support in the region, the Turkish leader also they come with vested interests, according to a statement issued by the Vice President's office.

President Erdogan called on Muslim states to unite in the wake of terrorism to be able to denounce violence generated by terrorism  which he said has subjected Islam to global stigmatisation and victimisation.

He also called for Muslim representation at the United Nations Security Council to be able to articulate Islamic interests, saying the lack of representation at global decision-making mechanisms is a source of discomfort among the Islamic nations.

Here, VP Ssekandi is received by Ugandan state minister for investment Aston Kajara and Turkish deputy minister for external relations Amb. Ali Naci Koru. (Courtesy photo)

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), formerly Organization of the Islamic Conference formed ın 1969, is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations with 56 states spread over four continents.

It aims at forging a collective voice of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony in the world.

The session of the Islamic Summit Conference being held under the theme ‘Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace' will among other issues, discuss the question of Palestine and Arab-Israeli conflict, the situation in the Muslim world, combating terrorism and violent extremism.

Other issues will include the global Islamophopia, humanitarian situation in the Muslim world, and the OIC-2025 programme of Action before adopting the Istanbul Declaration at the end of the Heads of State and Government session.

The OIC Summit convenes every three years and aims at jointly reviewing the international situation in the political, economic and social fields and analyzing the impact on the Muslim Ummah.