Coordinated efforts are needed to battle the rise of Islamophobia,
intolerance and discrimination against Muslims, Organization of the
Islamic Conference Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu told the
OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today, reports Trend.
"The goals and objectives of the OIC are not much different from those
of the OSCE, as both our organizations are devoted to the cause of
international peace and security," Ihsanoglu said. "It is the exact
moment for the OSCE and OIC to put together tangible and
result-oriented efforts to motivate the people, starting with those at
the grassroots, to reject the extremists," he said.
He also added that joint work of the two organizations should aim to
develop "a culture of respect and tolerance for the whole range of
civil and political, as well as economic, social and cultural rights
of people of all beliefs and backgrounds."
The Permanent Council is one of the OSCE's main decision-making
bodies. It meets weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE
arena and to make appropriate decisions.
Strengthening the two organizations' already existing cooperation
would be beneficial, Ihsanoglu said, adding that Kazakhstan, which
holds the 2010 OSCE chairmanship and will chair the OIC in 2011, could
help promote such cooperation. He also drew attention to the rise of
Islamophobia.
"We cannot ignore the fact that religion has been drawn into the
agenda of international relations by the extremist elements who are
active in creating tensions and who threaten stability, harmony and
even peace through provocation and incitement on religious grounds,"
he said.
