The Organisation of Islamic Countries has invited Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of a breakaway faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of Islamic countries in New York this month-end.

Also see: Geelani to head breakaway Hurriyat faction

In a communication to the Jamaat-e-Islami leader, OIC functionary Abdul Ahad-al-Aziz addressed Geelani as the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, sources close to Geelani told PTI.

The OIC invitation to Geelani is considered a jolt to the Maulana Abbas Ansari-led faction of the separatist alliance as Hurriyat enjoys the status of an observer in OIC.

The 25-party APHC split when 13 general council members moved a no-confidence motion against Ansari and formed a parallel Hurriyat Conference on September 7.