A delegation from Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has visited the Maldives to enhance relations in humanitarian diplomacy and sponsor a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Islamic Forum for International Humanitarian Law (IFIHL) and the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM).
The QRCS delegation comprised Dr Fawzi Oussedik, head of international relations and international humanitarian law and chairman at IFIHL, and Zahra
Lafi, co-ordinator of IHL.
During the visit, the delegation met with IUM officials to discuss ways of co-operation and sign a bilateral MoU between IFIHL and IUM at an official ceremony.
They also visited the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to explore opportunities of co-operation among the ministry, QRCS and IFIHL. Other institutions visited during the trip included the National Centre for Noble Qur’an, where they agreed on a series of joint projects to be pursued.
The delegation also visited the headquarters of the Maldivian Red Crescent, where they were received by the president, secretary-general and other top officials. They watched a presentation on the organisation’s strategy and major activities. Also, possible aspects of joint work were discussed to step up relations.
The visit was concluded with a tour of the Dar Zayed Orphanage and discussions of potential forms of support.
Dr Oussedik highlighted the contributions of the Maldivian people during the 2014 war on Gaza. They had donated more than $2mn for QRCS’s relief projects in Gaza, especially in the areas of shelter, water and sanitation.
The visit was part of QRCS’s efforts in international development and humanitarian advocacy, a central element of its mandates that aims at giving voice to the issues and concerns of the vulnerable, putting them on the table for the international community, mobilising support for them, utilising its international relations in their best interest, promoting international humanitarian principles and human rights, and establishing developmental projects in all fields, particularly educational and
informative activities.
The delegation met officials and visited several institutions in the Maldives.
