ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to chalk out coordinated and comprehensive strategy aimed at building legal and political deterrence against rising incidents of anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia.

He made these remarks during his telephonic conversation with OIC Secretary-General Hissein Ibrahim Taha. During telephone conversation, PM Shehbaz appreciated OIC chief’s role in articulating Muslim Ummah’s concerns and demands about Islamophobic trends and incidents.

Referring to recurring incidents of public burning of Holy Quran, he conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of willful and provocative acts, which had hurt sentiments of Muslims worldwide. He stressed that vilification of religion, revered religious personalities and holy-scriptures and symbols could not be condoned on self-serving pretext of freedom of expression and protest.

While welcoming convening of an urgent debate at Geneva-based Human Rights Council on issue, PM underscored that OIC must raise issue with UN Secretary General and at other relevant forums and bodies within UN system. He urged organisation to chalk out coordinated and comprehensive strategy, aimed at raising global awareness about its perspective and building legal and political deterrence against rising incidents of anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia. OIC Secretary General echoed Pakistan’s condemnation and concerns about despicable incidents of public desecration of Holy Quran.

He reaffirmed OIC’s firm commitment to tackle contemporary scourge of Islamophobia. He lauded Pakistan’s leading role in OIC deliberations in general and on this issue in particular.­

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 08 2023

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