Qatar Participates in Emergency Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee

Qatar Participates in Emergency Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee

Istanbul / Information Office / March 22

The State of Qatar condemned today the vicious terrorist crime that targeted worshipers in the mosques of New Zealand, stressing its strong and firm stance against terrorism in all its forms regardless of its motives and reasons, considering it an act contrary to human nature and all moral values.

The State of Qatar expressed its deep concern regarding the rise of extremist ideologies that fuel hatred and religious and ethnic intolerance around the world. It expressed concern particularly on the spread of Islamophobia, combined with the ideology of racial superiority and racial extremism currently present in many of the world's societies, which in turn increased hate crimes against all those who embrace Islam and led to the creation of a wave of hostility against those who advocate and defend the causes of Muslims.

This came in the speech of HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi during the opening session of the Emergency Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee.

HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs pointed out that these and other phenomena constitute a violation of human rights and require members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to not only condemn the acts, but also to counter the hate speech against Muslims and to find ways to enact international laws to combat these phenomena effectively and seriously. He stressed on the importance of dialogue among civilizations and promoting a culture of tolerance and moderation among all religions, cultures and societies as one of the most important tools in fighting racism.

His Excellency noted that the time has come for the OIC to play its pivotal role in confronting the manifestations of Islamophobia and the rejection of terrorism and religious fanaticism. He urged the Secretariat to update the work team formed by the coordinating committee for Islamic action, which is charged with monitoring the implications of Islamophobia. He also called for activating the organization's observatory for Islamophobia and the voice of wisdom center to confront this phenomenon.

HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs thanked the Government of the Republic of Turkey for its request to hold this emergency meeting to discuss the recent terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch. His Excellency declared the State of Qatar's full solidarity with the Government and people of New Zealand, and praised the measures taken to protect Muslim communities in the country. He called for holding accountable those responsible for the crime and for providing necessary protection for mosques and other religious centers. He worked to tackle the phenomenon of Islamophobia and to spread a culture of tolerance and moderation in its societies.

His Excellency concluded his speech by reiterating Qatar's commitment to the support of all the OIC's efforts in promoting a culture of peace and peaceful coexistence guaranteed by the Islamic religion.

HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mavlut Cavusoglu attended the opening of the meeting, which HE President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a speech at. The meeting saw a wide participation from delegations of OIC member states. HE New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also attended the meeting.