Friday July 6, 2012

Fight against Islamophobia

FROM EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU
OIC SECRETARY GENERAL

MUSLIMS with a real understanding of Islam believe that the word and the essence of Islam emanate and preach peace, compassion, tolerance of all religions and beliefs, and respect for humanity and human dignity.

EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU
OIC SECRETARY GENERAL

These are fundamental principles of Islam since Prophet Muhammad first spread its message over 14 centuries ago.

Furthermore, throughout history Muslims promoted peaceful coexistence with their fellow human beings across the world regardless of differences in religion and culture.

It cannot be denied that Muslims’ contribution to civilisation has been great, essential, and irrefutable in all fields, and Muslims have always recognised other peoples’ religions and great contributions to humanity.

Unfortunately, due to the rise of Islamophobia, mainly in the West, Muslims nowadays are facing various types of racial and discriminatory acts particularly by extremists and racists who irrationally try to equate Islam with terrorism based on false premises and assumptions.

These right wing extremists in the West unjustifiably claim that Islam is against human rights, democracy, and individual freedom in order to achieve political gains.

The same could be said about the fringe minority Muslim extremists and their twisted logic in trying to spread violence against non-Muslims as well as Muslims.

However, Islamophobia and all forms of religious intolerance are irrational and unjustified because wise and enlightened minds know that this kind of fear mongering and hate stoking only leads to tensions and violence.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which represents Muslims around the world and the umbrella of 57 Muslim countries, has repeatedly and at various levels, official and non-official, been loud and active in countering Islamophobia and all other forms of religious intolerance.

It has been persistent in correcting the misconceptions regarding Islam and Muslims in the West.

In its official statements, forums, conferences, academic speeches, and meetings the OIC has clearly presented Islamophobia to be a damaging force for peaceful coexistence and mutual trust between the different cultures and negatively impacts the official relationships between countries.

Well aware of the clear and present danger of Islamophobia in exacerbating the Muslim-West divide at the official and individual levels, and understanding the seriousness of its impact on Muslims and westerners alike, the OIC collaborated closely with its counterparts and stakeholders in the West to combat religious intolerance, including Islamophobia in order to create an atmosphere of mutual confidence and trust among peoples and communities.

In this context, the OIC has worked tirelessly with Western governments, international organisations, NGOs, and media to reach a mutual understanding about the best means and ways to deal with Islamophobia and religious intolerance for the benefit of both the Muslim and Western worlds.

Most important of these collaborations were the OIC–US, the OIC–EU, and the OIC–UN cooperation, which were crowned with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution of 16/18 in 2011 titled “Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons based on religion and belief” and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution A/66/167 calling on all countries to combat intolerance based on religion and belief.

This was followed by launching the Istanbul Process with the objective of putting these international resolutions into full implementation.

Nevertheless, dealing with religious intolerance cannot be limited at the official level but should reach out to the grassroots level where the core problem exists and where more efforts need to be directed.

Unfortunately, it is obvious that racist elements and Islamophobes in the West have for a long time embarked on well-orchestrated and well-financed campaigns to malign Islam and demonise Muslims in public opinions through distortion and fear mongering.

Some media organisations have been among the key tools used by those dubious elements to spread Islamophobia in the public sphere.

Countering extremists and racists of all religions — whether in the form of Islamophobia, Christianophobia or anti-Semitism — and in all societies, is best served through dialogue and exchange of views and correct information, in addition to correct government policies.

The OIC believes that dialogue is the key to bridge the differences, build mutual trust among diverse religious groups and societies, and foster tolerance.

In this context, the OIC has been a pioneer of the concept of dialogue among civilisations for almost a decade with the aim of reaching out to grassroots communities around the world.

However, reaching out to the grassroots communities in different parts of the world is not an easy task and requires immense resources.

The OIC believes and calls for greater and more concerted efforts by community leaders, religious leaders, academics, various types of media institutions, and human rights organisations to address the scourge of Islamophobia and all forms of religious intolerance.

It is an inclusive engagement that goes beyond diplomatic and political circles.

The OIC calls on the concerned parties — public and private — to unify their efforts and take collective bold initiatives to prevent human conflicts based on religions and beliefs in order to build together a better future for the generations to come based on tolerance, prosperity and development.

It is our moral duty to take action now before the extremists can gain more ground and cause further destruction and suffering.

News

Friday July 6, 2012

Fight against Islamophobia