Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday urged the OIC to chalk out acoordinated and comprehensive strategy, aimed at raising global awarenessabout its perspective and building legal and political deterrence againstrising incidents of anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia.
The prime minister, in a telephone conversation with Secretary-General ofthe Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Ibrahim Taha,appreciated the OIC chief’s role in articulating Muslim Ummah’s concernsand demands about the Islamophobic trends and incidents.
Referring to the recurring incidents of public burning of the Holy Quran,the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the willfuland provocative acts, which had hurt the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.
He stressed that vilification of religion, revered religious personalities,holy scriptures and symbols could not be condoned on the self-servingpretext of freedom of expression and protest.
While welcoming the convening of an urgent debate at the Geneva-based HumanRights Council on the issue, Prime Minister Shehbaz further underscoredthat the OIC must raise the issue with the UN Secretary-General and atother relevant forums and bodies within the UN system.
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The OIC secretary-general echoed Pakistan’s condemnation and concerns aboutthe despicable incidents of the public desecration of the Holy Quran.
He reaffirmed the OIC’s firm commitment to tackle the contemporary scourgeof Islamophobia.
The secretary-general lauded Pakistan’s leading role in OIC deliberationsin general and on this issue in particular.
