By KUNA
United Nations : Chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Pakistan, late Saturday urged Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to call on governments to take a firm stand against the publication of the blasphemous cartoons in the Western media.
“The OIC Group urges the Secretary-General to call upon the Governments of the States that condone the publication of these blasphemous caricatures and media material, as well as the campaigns for anti-Islamic regulations, to take all possible legal and administrative measures to prevent the repetition or continuation of these deliberate offensive acts, which impinge greatly on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion of the followers of Islam, ” the OIC chairman said in a statement.
The OIC Group requests the Secretary-General to “publicly express his unequivocal opposition to all acts of Islamophobia, and to declare that no government should be complicit in undermining the ongoing efforts to promote harmony and friendly relations amongst the various cultures, religions and civilizations.” Among the instances of Islamophobia are the publications of blasphemous caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by newspapers in Europe, multiple campaigns for anti-Islamic regulations in several European countries, including the imposition of restrictions on the construction of places of worship, and the impending screening of a documentary by a Dutch lawmaker which insults the Holy Quran.
“The OIC Group believes that the right to freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities, and does not provide a license to insult and hurt the sentiments and beliefs of others,” the statement said.
The OIC Group in New York strongly deplored in its statement all acts of ideological and physical violence and assaults, and incitements thereto, against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, and those acts directed against the Holy symbols, sites or places of worship of all religions.
“Such acts against Muslims and Islam are inconsistent with the spirit of the UN Charter which seeks to promote peaceful co-existence amongst nations,” it added.