The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel, has concluded his participation in the Extraordinary Open-Ended Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), convened to address recent developments in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The meeting was held on 26 February 2026 at the OIC General Secretariat Headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
During the session, Minister Khaleel stated that the meeting took place at a critical time, citing ongoing occupation and dispossession faced by Palestinians, including the recent confiscation of land in the occupied West Bank under the designation of “state property”. He said such actions seek to impose an unlawful situation on the ground, expand settlements and deepen annexation efforts.
The Minister condemned these measures, stating that they constitute serious violations of international law, undermine prospects for peace and deny the Palestinian people their fundamental rights.
Reaffirming the Maldives’ position, Dr Khaleel emphasised that a lasting solution requires the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Minister held discussions with counterparts from other OIC member states and exchanged views on issues affecting the Muslim Ummah. He reiterated the Maldives’ commitment to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and to live in dignity and security on their own land.
The OIC, comprising 57 member states, continues to advocate for the Palestinian cause and address challenges faced by the Muslim world. The Maldives has been a member of the organisation since 1976.