NEW YORK: Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha on Thursday expressed deep concern over the escalation in the intensity of anti-Muslim rhetoric and feelings of hatred towards them.
He also condemned the incidents of desecration and burning of copies of the Holy Qur’an in some European nations.
During a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Muslims in Europe on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, the Secretary-General reviewed the measures he took to follow up on the results of the 18th extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers and the OIC Executive Committee’s previous meetings.
He called for more efforts to support constructive dialogue in order to promote the values of understanding, tolerance, harmony, and mutual respect among cultures.
Moreover, the meeting affirmed in the strongest terms its condemnation of the recent heinous acts of aggression that violated the sanctity of the Holy Qur’an in Denmark and Sweden.
The Secretary-General renewed his commitment to implementing the recent resolution of the Council of Foreign Ministers regarding the repeated crimes of burning and desecrating copies of the Holy Qur’an.
OIC chief demands respecting religious freedom
The meeting further demanded respecting the religious freedom of all Muslims and not restricting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Muslims, including not depriving them of the right to exercise their religious rights and cultural identity.
He expressed his serious concern about the disturbing trend of Islamophobia, hate speech, anti-Muslim sentiments, right-wing extremism, and the trend of violent incidents targeting Muslims in some European nations.
