OIC seeks reconciliation between Muslims and West
Source : P.K. Abdul Ghafour | Arab News
JEDDAH | 05 Dec 2010
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has emphasized the importance of cultural and interfaith dialogue to promote world peace and stability, and said it was seeking a historic reconciliation between the Muslim world and the West.
“The OIC reflects the true and real image of Islam, based on tolerance, peace, pluralism and acknowledgement of diversity. It advocates dialogue with other faiths and civilizations,” said Abdul Rauf Bin Rajab, spokesman for the 57-member organization. He said Islamophobia has evoked global concern because of its negative impact on world peace and security. He also disclosed the OIC’s plan to hold a seminar in Warsaw on Dec. 8-10 to discuss the situation of Muslim communities in Central and Eastern Europe.
Bin Rajab refuted press comments attributed to the OIC secretary-general in Fars News Agency that the West has hatched plots to spread Islamophobia in a bid to block growing conversions to Islam. “The agency’s report is inaccurate and misleading.”
He said the issue required joint international efforts. The increasing manifestations of Islamophobia in the West shows inadequate knowledge about nations and cultures, he said, while emphasizing the need for forging a new relationship and understanding through respect for cultural diversity.
The OIC spokesman commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s interfaith initiative. “We, in the OIC, are determined to work hard and continue to maintain our strong belief that diverse cultures should complement one another. Tolerance, stability and prosperity are nurtured only when nations and cultures communicate and respect each other.”
Bin Rajab also called for action to prevent hatred against other religions. “We do not negate existence of hatred against other religions and we extend our hand of cooperation to counter anti-Semitism, Christianophobia and misperceptions about Western culture.” He said the OIC Charter and its Ten-Year Program of Action were based on a vision of moderation and modernization.
Speaking about the role of Muslims living in Western countries to counter the apprehensions of local populations, the OIC official said Muslims in the West should play a critical role in removing misperceptions and portraying the true image of Islam.
Muslims should voice their perspectives through peaceful and political channels available at the local, national and regional levels in the West. “It is important to exercise restraint and act responsibly in the wake of motivated provocations like the blasphemous cartoons or the hoax pertaining to burning the Qur’an.”
Bin Rajab said the OIC has been actively engaged in optimally utilizing all the political and diplomatic means at its disposal to warn against the adverse impact of actions that hamper peaceful coexistence of religions and cultures. In this context, OIC is intending to hold a seminar in Warsaw on Dec. 8-10 to discuss the situation of Muslim communities in Central and Eastern Europe. The symposium will explore the situation of Muslim minorities in those geographical areas, and monitor the problems they face in order to find solutions for them, he said.
