Iraqi government leaders have welcomed the efforts of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to help reconcile various factions in the country based on the Makkah reconciliation document and meetings that took place in 2006.

These were the views expressed by several Iraqi leaders at a meeting at Salam Palace in Baghdad on Thursday, which included OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani and Iraqi President Fuad Masum. Madani ended his three-day visit to the country on Thursday.

The talks included a proposal to have another meeting in Makkah of various factions to iron out differences and ensure lasting peace in the war-torn country. The Makkah document is a religious agreement based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Masum said Madani’s visit comes at a time when Iraq is facing attacks by extremists groups. He urged the OIC to seek the help of member countries to tackle the situation, and create an atmosphere of consensus among scholars of different sects.

Masum said the OIC can also play an important role in reviewing Iraq’s education system, to ensure that it promotes tolerance and moderation among the country’s youth.

Madani promised the OIC would support Iraq. “This visit is aimed at getting the views of the Iraqi leadership on possible solutions to the challenges faced by the Islamic world, including extremism, fundamentalism, sectarian conflicts, and the phenomenon of Islamophobia,” Madani said.

During his visit, Madani met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari, deputies and prominent provincial leaders. He also met with the Vice President of Iraq Osama Nojaifi, who hoped the OIC would continue its efforts to unify the country, and get assistance from member countries to help Iraqi refugees.

Madani also had talks with the speaker of the Iraqi parliament Saleem Al-Jabouri, who said that the behavior of Islamic State showed the world that there is no difference between Sunnis and Shiites in their opposition to terrorism.