ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked OIC to chalk out a coordinated and comprehensive strategy, aimed at raising global awareness about its perspective and building legal and political deterrence against rising incidents of anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia.
In a telephonic conversation with Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Ibrahim Taha, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of these willful and provocative acts which have hurt sentiments of Muslims worldwide.
PM Shehbaz Sharif stressed that vilification of religion, revered religious personalities, Holy Scriptures and symbols could not be condoned on the self-serving pretext of freedom of expression and protest.
The prime minister appreciated the OIC Secretary-General’s role in articulating Muslim Ummah’s concerns and demands about these Islamophobic trends and incidents.
While welcoming the convening of an urgent debate at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council on the issue, the prime minister underscored that the OIC must raise the issue with the UN Secretary-General and at other relevant forums and bodies within the UN system.
The OIC Secretary-General echoed Pakistan’s condemnation and concerns about the despicable incidents of the public desecration of the Holy Quran. He reaffirmed OIC’s firm commitment to tackle the contemporary scourge of Islamophobia.
The Secretary General lauded Pakistan’s leading role in OIC deliberations in general and on this issue in particular.
Pakistan on Friday observed ‘Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran’ and held demonstrations nationwide, with people from different walks of life participating in the protests to express their resentment over the desecration of the holy book.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for countrywide protests against the incident, declaring Friday “a day to uphold the Quran’s sanctity.
Several political parties also held protests across the nation including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Swedish flags were burned at rallies across the country, while others trampled on modified Swedish flags that read “#Boycott Sweden” and featured a crossed-out image of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Clerics and Imams in mosques across the country condemned the burning in their Friday sermons. They said the European countries should end incidents of hatred against Muslims.
