Pakistan Prime Minister Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz made remarks in his speech at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in the Turkish port city of Istanbul ahead of a summit meeting.
“We are also witnessing an increase in instances of physical and psychological violence against Muslims and their businesses and places of worship. Muslim minorities are being alienated and marginalized. Many of them live in fear,” Aziz said, adding, “At a time when there is a need to urge all communities to develop tolerance and respect for each other, we see the unfortunate rise of political opportunism by spreading fear and xenophobia.”
He also criticized a “sharp rise in hate speech, discriminatory acts and social hostility against Muslims”, especially in the countries where they are in minority.
The senior official also warned that “if left unchecked, such instances and political shortsightedness will grow rapidly in the years to come. It is our collective responsibility to reverse these trends.”
“We attach importance to freedom of expression. We, however, refuse to accept that it allows insults against Islam and hate speech and incitement to violence against Muslims.”
The current OIC summit is being held in Turkey under the theme, “Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace.”
At the end of the summit, the member states will issue a resolution on the Palestine and support for international efforts to re-launch a "collective political process"
The OIC is an inter-governmental organization which has 57 member states spread over four continents.
Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic frequently through his speeches, messages recommended the OIC to boost solidarity and unity, and focus on the Islamic issues.
The founder of the Islamic Republic has been considered a great promoter of unity among Muslims.
Imam also warned against the dangers of Islamophobia which has been being spread by some western media outlets against the Muslim nations in recent decades.