Delegates from Islamic body hail Xinjiang's stability, development

A 32-member delegation, including representatives from several countries within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and officials from the OIC General Secretariat, visited northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from October 16 to 19, at the invitation of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The delegation toured cities such as Turpan, Hami and Urumqi, the regional capital, expressing admiration for the social stability, harmony and collaborative development among the region's diverse ethnic groups.

The delegates emphasized the potential for cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, development and combating misinformation, highlighting the importance of international unity in the fight against terrorism.

After visiting an exhibition on counter-terrorism and de-radicalization in Xinjiang, Boubacar Gouro Diall, Mali's representative to the OIC, stressed the significance of the shared global fight against terrorism. He noted that countries must unite against this threat while warning that some nations covertly instigate terrorism to destabilize others and seize their resources.

Diall also noted that China is not the only victim of misinformation and called for greater international cooperation to combat false narratives.

Coulibaly Drissa, Cote d'Ivoire's representative to the OIC, stressed that social stability is crucial for sustained development. "Social stability is very important everywhere in the world. Only with social stability can we promote global peace," he said.

The delegation also visited local mosques and Islamic institutes, with Tajikistan's OIC representative, Akram Karimi, praising the Chinese government's commitment to protecting human rights and ensuring religious freedom. Karimi commended the preservation of Xinjiang's ethnic minority traditions and cultural heritage.

During visits to local e-commerce enterprises and solar energy facilities, many representatives expressed interest in expanding economic cooperation with Xinjiang. Cameroonian diplomat Dewa Moustafa emphasized the potential for collaboration in the energy sector, particularly given Cameroon's rich solar resources.

"The northern region of Cameroon has abundant solar energy resources, but they are not being fully utilized, leading to a power shortage. I hope my country can collaborate with Xinjiang's local government in the energy sector," Moustafa said.

Hani Abdulwhab M. Kashif, Saudi Arabia's deputy OIC representative, praised Xinjiang's achievements, calling them a source of pride not only for China but also for its friends. He stressed the importance of increasing interaction to present a more accurate picture of Xinjiang to the world.

Many delegates, including Naser Kamali Dolat Abadi, Iran's acting representative to the OIC, had visited Xinjiang more than once and expressed admiration for the positive atmosphere among local residents striving for a better life.

Xinjiang is experiencing rapid development, with diverse ethnic groups preserving their unique cultures while enjoying a high quality of life, according to the Iranian diplomat.