Countering provocative discourse stressed

Jeddah, Dec. 21 (BNA): Bahrain's keenness to confront provocative discourse inciting hatred from Bahrain or beyond has been stressed today. Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi underlined the kingdom's repetitive calls to tackle the issue out of awareness of the challenges facing the nation. He pointed out the need to cement ties of fraternity and integration under the umbrella of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), on the basis of responsibility, mutual respect of the sovereignty of the member states and no interference in their internal affairs. Addressing the 11th Islamic Conference of Information Ministers, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on December 21 and 22, under the theme "New Media to Counter Terrorism and Islamophobia", the Information Minister pointed out the grave challenges targeting the Islamic nation, its unity, security, identity and progress. He called to adopt innovated ways to boost the role of the national mass media in facing the tendentious campaigns against Islam and Muslims. The Information Minister underlined the need to back joint media projects given the pivotal role of the media in promoting common understanding between the Islamic countries. He also called to follow up on OIC's media strategy to confront Islamophobia and endorse a binding Islamic media code of conduct to incriminate discourse of extremism, hatred and terrorism. He emphasized the need to take the necessary legal and technical procedures to stop broadcasting of satellite channels inciting sectarianism and hatred and prevent misuse of modern technologies as platforms for cybercrimes. Al Romaihi hailed the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in serving Islam and Muslims, protecting the sacred lands and caring for the pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors. He praised the Saudi-led Arab and Islamic alliance to fight extremism and terrorism, reiterating categorical rejection of any attempt to downplay those tremendous efforts or cast doubt on them. He voiced strong condemnation of the terror attack on the sanctity of Makkah by the putschist militias in Yemen, describing it as a grave escalation breaching all religious, humanitarian and ethical principles. The Information Minister pointed out the sectarian-motivated terror acts in many Arab and Islamic countries, stressing the need to preserve moderation and fight advocates of terrorism. He wished the session every success in coming up with resolutions that serve common goals of fostering Islamic media cooperation, cementing fraternal ties, achieving the supreme interests of the Islamic nation and promoting peace, stability and sustainable development.