Maldives president urges decisive action for Palestine

President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday addressed the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, urging Muslim and Arab nations to take decisive action in support of Palestine.

"If we, as an Ummah, don’t act decisively now, history will judge us harshly," he warned, calling for the summit to be a turning point for unity and meaningful change.

The president praised Saudi Arabia’s steadfast leadership in addressing the challenges faced by Muslims worldwide, recognising the kingdom’s efforts in building a global alliance for a two-state solution. He described Saudi Arabia’s commitment as a beacon of hope and inspiration for justice and self-determination for the Palestinian people.

In his opening statement, President Muizzu stressed that the decades of terror and injustice against the Palestinians must end, echoing the call, “Enough is enough!” He pointed out that while condemnations of Israeli aggression had been made, they had not been followed by the necessary actions from those in power.

The president condemned Israel’s brutal occupation and ongoing genocide, rejecting Israel’s decision to dismantle the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has supported Palestinian refugees for 75 years. He called on the international community to continue supporting this vital agency.

Addressing the global community’s continued silence and inaction, particularly within the UN Security Council, the President noted that the use of veto power had blocked meaningful action and allowed war crimes and the flow of arms to persist. He urged the international community to increase both financial and political support for peace.

President Muizzu praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership and solidarity and called on Muslim and Arab nations to unite and work together for meaningful change.

The president noted that by the summit, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its leadership and solidarity, and called on Muslim and Arab nations to work together for meaningful change.