OIC foreign ministers adopted a strongly worded statement — sponsored by Pakistan and Turkey — denouncing the increasing attacks on Islam, its revered personalities and symbols, and calling for an end to such campaigns.
The ministers met on Friday on the margins of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly being held in New York.
Speaking at the meeting, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed deep concern over the misrepresentation of Islam as well as at the activities that have hurt the feelings of Muslims all over the world, especially the disrespect shown to the most revered personality of Islam.
In the statement, which was approved by the ministerial meeting, serious concern was expressed on intensification of hate campaigns which were deliberately targeting Muslims and the Islamic religious symbols.
The joint statement rejected provocative acts like the holding of the competition contest to ridicule Islam aimed at inciting violence.
Ever since caricatures competition was announced, Pakistan raised the issue at the diplomatic level with the United Nations, OIC, and European Union and sensitized world leaders, according to an official statement. [Associated Press of Pakistan] Read more
