Istanbul, March 22 (IANS) The Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states met here on Friday on how to respond to hate speeches and violence against Muslims.
The meeting was called by Turkey in the wake of the March 15 mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, that killed 50 people, reports Xinhua news agency.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu described the gathering as a sign showing the Islamic world was not deaf in the face of the attacks Muslims were facing different parts of the world.
“Against racism, intolerance, exclusion and violence, today we will strengthen our solidarity with them,” Cavusoglu said, stressing that taking effective measures against Islamophobia and the problems it creates was “a must”.
The Minister urged the administrators, decision-makers and politicians in places where Muslims live to take practical steps against rising violence.
Yousef Al-Othaimeen, the OIC Secretary-General, also called for the world to take actions against hatred and intolerance toward Muslims, saying “terror has no language, religion or race”.
Besides the Foreign Ministers, representatives from international organisations, including the UN, European Union and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, attended the meet
Turkey, the host of the meeting, currently holds the rotating OIC presidency.