MAKKAH: The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday slammed the US decision to transfer its embassy to Jerusalem and recognize the disputed city as Israel’s capital.
The Saudi-hosted summit condemned the “transfer of embassies of the United States and Guatemala to Jerusalem” and urged all members to “boycott” countries that have opened diplomatic missions in the city, a statement said.
The statement comes as US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner prepares to roll out economic aspects of his long-awaited Middle East peace plan at a conference in Bahrain later this month.
The plan, dubbed by Trump as the “deal of the century,” has already been rejected by the Palestinians, who say Trump’s policies have shown him to be blatantly biased in favor of Israel.
Palestinians have cut off all contacts with the Trump administration after the president broke with decades of bipartisan policy to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017.
Israel insists the whole of Jerusalem is its “eternal, indivisible capital.” The Palestinians demand the city’s eastern sector as the capital of their long-promised state.
Makkah summit slams US embassy move to Jerusalem: statement
Makkah summit slams US embassy move to Jerusalem: statement
- 57-member OIC urges all members to boycott countries that have opened diplomatic missions in Jerusalem
- Statement comes as Trump's son-in-law prepares to roll out long-awaited Middle East peace plan in Bahrain this month
Pakistan calls for advance food imports before Ramadan to ease pressure on ports
- Ensuring food security during Ramadan a national responsibility, says maritime affairs minister
- The Islamic month of Ramadan is expected to start in Pakistan after mid-February
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhary on Sunday urged importers to import food items in advance and avoid last-minute delays to ease pressure on ports as Ramadan approaches.
Muslims around the world fast during the holy month of Ramadan from dawn till sunset. They break the iftar meal with various food items such as fruits, dates and fried items. Thousands of people shop daily during Ramadan for iftar meals in markets across the country.
In a message released to food importers, Chaudhry noted that the demand for edible oil and essential food items rises during the month of Ramadan.
“Import strategies should be planned in a timely manner to reduce pressure on ports,” Chaudhry said. “Pakistani ports operate on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Chaudhry said delays in berthing of vessels and cargo lead to congestion at ports. He called on importers to share their import schedules in advance so that the port system could operate more efficiently.
He said the timely supply of food items was possible through coordination between the public and private sectors.
“Ensuring food security during Ramadan is a national responsibility,” the minister said. “Advance import of food commodities ahead of Ramadan is essential.”
A central moon sighting committee in Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, determines when Ramadan begins.
The Islamic month is expected to start this year after mid-February, around Feb. 17 or Feb. 18.
