OIC Secretary General Calls for Raising Global Awareness of the Dangers of the Growing Manifestations of Islamophobia

Date: 05/05/2017- The Secretary General of the Organization of IslamicCooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, called for raising global awareness of the dangers of the growing manifestations of Islamophobia by mainstreaming the principles of peace, harmony and security among all societies and peoples. He pointed out that the “Istanbul Process” initiative launched by the OIC as part of its plan to implement UN Human Rights Council resolution 16/18, could contribute in a positive way tothe efforts exerted to combat various forms of extremism, hatred and racial discrimination, through the establishment of a culture of dialogue, mutual respect and understanding.

In a statement delivered at the Fourth World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which is held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijani today, 5 May 2017, the Secretary General underlined the OIC’s commitment to continue supportinginnovative ideas aimed at consolidating the values of tolerance among religions, cultures and civilizations, a commitment provided for in the OIC 10-year Program of Action 2025.

Al-Othaimeen added that the OIC has always encouraged dialogue as a way to bring closer views within the framework of respecting differences and diversity. Thus, it is our joint global responsibility to propagate a culture of tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding, and to continue to develop new approaches towards intercultural dialogue through mutual acceptance and respect.

The Secretary General said that the selection of “Advancing intercultural dialogue: New avenues for human security, peace and sustainable development”, as the theme of this year's session of the Forum, reinforces the conviction that culture plays an important role in promoting the global framework of development. Achieving sustainable development requires a broader and deeper understanding of the security issue, whichincludes humanitarian, gender and environmental dimensions, and not just military aspects.

The Forum is an initiative of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and it is held in partnership with UNESCO, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the WTO, FAO, ISESCO and the Council of Europe.

Source: http://www.oic-oci.org/topic/?t_id=13485&t_ref=5879&lan=en