Islamabad, 13 June 2022 (TDI): Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, spoke with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, on the phone today.
The discussion centered on the current Indian government’s sequence of Islamophobic actions, including two prominent Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) officials, insulting remarks against Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
FM @BBhuttoZardari, Chair of @OIC_OCI CFM, had a telephone conversation with OIC SG Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha.
➖Conversation focused on the series of Islamophobic actions in India, in particular derogatory remarks made by two senior officials of BJP.
📍@PakOIC_Jeddah pic.twitter.com/An86B6PCYs
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 12, 2022
Condemned BJP official’s derogatory remarks
According to the Foreign Minister, the insulting remarks made by high-ranking BJP leaders have gravely hurt the sensibilities of Muslims all over the world.
Foreign Minister Bilawal further said that the BJP’s attempts to explain what happened and the “disciplinary” actions taken against the people responsible were not enough to ease the pain and suffering of the Muslim world.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister strongly criticized the way the Indian government treated peaceful rallies held after Friday prayers in response to racist comments.
He further added that this was just the latest example of how the Indian government keeps persecuting Muslims.
Spoke to OIC SG HE Hissein Brahim Taha on the totally unacceptable and condemnable remarks by Indian BJP officials towards the Holy Prophet PBUH. Shared concerns on rising Islamophobia and persecution of Muslims in India and the need to address that through collective efforts.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 12, 2022
The Foreign Minister asked the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its member states to do more to protect the lives, dignity, property, culture, history, religious freedoms, and cultural heritage of Indian Muslims.
The offensive remarks, as well as the ongoing predicament of Indian Muslims, prompted the OIC Secretary-General to express serious concern.
OIC Secretary-General added that the OIC was very aware that Islamophobia was getting worse and that everyone needed to work together to stop it.
Both sides referred to the UN and OIC resolutions and statements on Islamophobia and agreed to keep in touch to discuss ways to combat Islamophobia in India and alleviate the suffering of Indian Muslims.
Role of Pakistan vis-a-vis OIC
Previously, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia served as its representative to this international organization situated in Jeddah. An ambassadorial-level officer has been assigned solely to OIC concerns since last year. See more
Pakistan is very worried about Islamophobia in the West, and it has been at the front of efforts to bring attention to the problem.
Similarly, the United Nations has passed a resolution designating March 15 as the International Day to Combat Anti-semitism.
Pakistan, acting on behalf of the OIC, sponsored the resolution.
Also, the OIC has always been concerned about the Jammu and Kashmir conflict and how it has been a righteous cause for persecuted Muslims in the area.
In 1994, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) formed an exclusive five-nation Kashmir Contact Group.
All major conferences have included Palestine and Kashmir on their agendas.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) provides a forum in which these challenges can be addressed for a better future for the Muslim Ummah.
