OIC MAKES ITS CASE AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA

By Muin Abdul Majid

DAMASCUS, May 25 (Bernama) -- The second annual report released by the OIC
Observatory on Islamophobia has laid a legal basis in terms of the international
law of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference's (OIC) case on defamation of
religions, particularly Islam, as a form of racism.

It identified contemporary manifestations of Islamophobia, acknowledging
both the negative trends as well as the good practices monitored by the
Observatory over the reporting period from June 2008 to April 2009.

The document was released in conjunction with the 36th Session of the
Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference
(OIC) which opened in the Syrian capital Saturday.

The Malaysian delegation at the CFM meeting is headed by Foreign Minister
Anifah Aman.

The report highlighted the imperative of sustaining engagement with the West
with a view to yielding positive outcomes in the interest of interfaith harmony
that could bring about peace, security and stability in the world.

In his foreword to the report, OIC secretary-general Prof Ekmeleddin
Ihsanoglu said Islam was a religion that implied peace by its very nomenclature
and reaffirmed the preceding prophethoods.

Characterising Islamophobia as a contemporary form of racism and
discrimination, Ihsanoglu highlighted the urgent need to effectively address the
issue of interfaith intolerance.

The foreword contended that "a serious engagement aimed at a historical
reconciliation process between Islam and Christianity as two great Abrahamic
faiths would help them set aside their deep-seated animosities and
misperceptions and start a new era of mutual respect and understanding".

The report concluded that the proliferation of Islamophobia ran contrary to
the fundamental values of mankind that must be embedded in a firm commitment to
human rights and the recognition of inherent dignity of all human beings
regardless of faith, colour or creed.

It articulated the OIC's proposal for a frank, sincere and result-oriented
dialogue geared to curbing Islamophobia by promoting better understanding of
different cultures and religions as well as better integration of Muslims in the
West.

The report said the need for such a "dialogue among civilizations" had never
been as urgent and important as at present, and that the opportunity afforded by
globalisation must not be squandered.
-- BERNAMA