The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed grave concern over the despicable acts of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark. The 18th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the OIC adopted a comprehensive resolution expressing grave concern over increasing incidents of intolerance, discrimination, and rising Islamophobia, a statement from the Foreign Office said. It reaffirmed the importance of the 8-point action plan unanimously agreed upon by the UN Human Rights Council to counter incitement to hatred, discrimination, stigmatisation, and violence based on religion and belief. It also called on all governments to fully implement the existing legal and administrative framework or adopt new legislation to protect all individuals against hatred and violence based on religion and belief.

 FM Bilawal also attended the 18th extraordinary meeting held in a virtual format. Addressing the CFM, FM Bilawal condemned, in the strongest terms, the Islamophobic and hateful acts of desecration of the Holy Quran, which manifested religious hatred and intolerance. He underscored that these acts, and the permission to carry them out, did not constitute freedom of expression. The foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with OIC member countries, especially in Jeddah, Geneva, and New York to highlight concerns about the willful acts of the burning and desecration of the Holy Quran.

He welcomed the adoption of resolutions in the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly advocating inter-religious dialogue and shunning religious hatred. He also called for promoting inter-faith harmony and peaceful co-existence. The foreign minister reiterated his proposal, made earlier this year on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, for an action plan which would inter alia include the appointment of a UN Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia and the establishment of judicial mechanisms to hold the perpetrators accountable.

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)