DEFAMATION OF ISLAM IMPERILS RELATIONS AMONG NATIONS, SAYS IHSANOGLU

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- 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.

-- BERNAMA