Preparations for 48th OIC-CFM in full swing

FM launches official anthem of session; facilitation counter being set up at airport

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday launched the official anthem of the 48th Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM), which would be held in the federal capital on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The authorities had made special arrangements at the airport in Islamabad for the foreign delegates coming to attend the OIC-CFM. The airport had been decorated with the flags of the OIC member countries, while special counters for the immigration of visiting delegations were being set up.

‘Hum Mustafavi Hain’ would be the official anthem of the 48th OIC-CFM,” Qreshi said, launching the anthem. It was the anthem of the third OIC summit meeting held in Lahore in the mid-70s, written by Jamiluddin Aali. Qureshi thanked the Information Ministry for refreshing the old memories.

“It is a matter of great honour for Pakistan that in a matter of few months, it is hosting the OIC meeting for the second time this year,” Qureshi said, referring to a special session of the OIC-CFM to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

He said several foreign ministers from the OIC countries would attend the meeting next week. “This session is also special because it is coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the creation of Pakistan. The OIC foreign ministers will also attend Pakistan Day parade on March 23.”

Qureshi said the CFM session was taking place at a very critical juncture, as the Muslim Ummah faced many challenges, including the outstanding disputes of Kashmir and Palestine and the rising Islamophobia in the world.

“Our efforts against Islamophobia bore fruit as the UN has declared 15th March as the international day against Islamophobia,” he said. “We will draw world’s attention towards the persecution of minorities, especially of Muslims, in India, besides, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.”

The foreign minister said it would be “our effort to chart out a way forward to deal with multiple challenges, including those of climate change and the economic difficulties” caused by Covid-19. “The theme of the conference is unity and partnership, and it is likely to adopt over 100 resolutions.”

Earlier, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry recalled that it was in 1974 that the OIC through a resolution had declared ‘Hum Mustafavi Hain’ as the official song of the summit. “Each stanza of this song is inspired from Quran,” he said, adding: “We have tried to maintain the originality of the anthem.”

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)