ISTANBUL – Leaders from more than 50 Muslim nations accused Iran on Friday of supporting terrorism and interfering in the internal affairs of regional states including Syria and Yemen.
The leaders, including Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, have been attending a summit in Istanbul this week of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss a range of issues such as the humanitarian fall-out from Syria’s civil war.
“The Conference deplored Iran’s interference in the internal affairs of the States of the region and other Member States including Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, and Somalia, and its continued support for terrorism,” the OIC said in its final summit communique.
It also stressed the need for “cooperative relations” between Iran and other Muslim countries, including refraining from the use or threat of force.
The two-day summit bringing together leaders of the Islamic world concluded in the Turkish city of Istanbul with a pledge to combat terrorism and overcome sectarian divide.
The final declaration Friday expressed strong condemnation of the ISIS and the role of Iran and its proxies in regional conflicts.
The final communique came a day after Iran’s Rouhani urged summit delegates to avoid sending out divisive messages.
“No message which would fuel division in the Islamic community should come out of the conference,” said Rouhani, according to Iranian state television.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who chaired the final session of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit, lamented the fact that Muslim countries who are “the heirs of a civilization that was built on columns of peace and justice are being remembered more for wars, armed conflict, sectarianism and terrorism.”
“As Muslims, we cannot overcome our difficulties without achieving unity in spite of our differences,” said the Turkish leader during the closing ceremony after delegates took a break to perform Friday prayers.
 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves during the end of closing session of 13th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit at the Istanbul .