By NNN-Bernama,
Dubai : Defamation of Islam represents one of the most conspicuous demonstrations of contemporary racism and intolerance, said Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) secretary-general Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.
He said it also constituted a threat to harmonious and cooperative relationship between and among nations.
“The campaign of Islamophobia has adversely impacted the image, the honour, the cultural identity and the self-esteem of Muslims the world over, eroding their fundamental human rights,” he said.
He drove this point home at a conference dedicated to assessing the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action (DDPA) against the scourge of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Ihsanoglu said the situation called for a frank and open discussion to consider the ultimate aim of those who were determined to pit one culture against another and disseminate discord and conflicts among peoples.
The secretary-general also said it was important to note that national laws alone could not stem the rising tide of discrimination against Muslims, on the basis of their religion.
“It’s alarming to see this trend spreading to the grassroots communities. If we’re to see a world free from discrimination and tension, we have to set up a framework to help us study the sources and root causes of this discrimination to deal with them promptly,” he said.
There was a need, he said, to analyse national laws and check if they were compatible with the provisions of international laws, covenants and treaties.
“This could be compiled in a single ‘universal document’ as guidelines for legislation to counter discrimination and its root causes,” Ihsanoglu added.