In a shocking development, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has lauded China and President Xi Jinping for the development of Muslim Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region.

 

This came after a group of delegates and diplomats of the OIC visited Xinjiang and lauded China for the progress made in the region and development of the people there.

 

 

"The visit to Xinjiang, and the cities of Kashgar and Urumqi, provided us with the opportunity to see the reality, and will help to address the misconceptions attached with the region," said the permanent representative of Pakistan to the OIC. The delegation visited Xinjiang "to observe the living conditions of the Muslim community in the area."

 

It also appreciated "China’s contribution to supporting the economic and social development of Islamic countries and expects to further expand its cooperation with China."

 

Apart from this, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li met with the visiting delegation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and said that the Chinese side attaches great importance to growing its relations with Islamic countries and the OIC. He said that the OIC symbolizes the unity and independence of Islamic countries and functions as the bridge for China to develop its relations with Islamic countries.

 

Notably, a 17-member delegation of the OIC visited the People's Republic of China which was led by Ambassador Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, the Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the OIC. It comprised permanent delegates and representatives from 25 member states, including the Chair of the Islamic Summit (Saudi Arabia) and the Council of Foreign Ministers (Mauritania).

 

"The meeting discussed the strategic partnership between the OIC, its Member States, and the People's Republic of China. They focused on various fields, including health and education," the OIC said in a statement.

 

 

Xinjiang is a northwestern province of China, which is home to ethnic Uyghur community, who are mostly Muslims. Notably, Beijing under Xi Jinping has expanded its repression of the Uyghurs in recent years, which includes setting restrictions on their freedom of speech, expression and religion.

 

As per estimates, over a million people from the Uyghur community have been held in internment camps in the Xinjiang province. The detainees are reportedly subjected to widespread maltreatment, including severe human rights abuses, torture, rape and forced labour.