Riyadh: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hosted a special session to mark the first anniversary of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The session was attended by representatives from various member states, as well as international organizations and civil society groups.
The session was held during the 49th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, which is taking place in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania.
OIC Secretary-General Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen emphasized the importance of combating Islamophobia and other forms of religious intolerance. He noted that the rise of Islamophobia has led to discrimination, violence, and human rights abuses against Muslims around the world.
"The OIC held a special session to commemorate the First Anniversary of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, following the adoption by the UN General Assembly, in March 2022, of a resolution designating 15 March as International Day to Combat Islamophobia," the organization said on Twitter.
Representatives from various international organizations, including the High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Angel Moratinos, attended the special session hosted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to combat Islamophobia on the anniversary of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Foreign ministers of member states, ambassadors and representatives of observer countries were also present.
The OIC member states had sponsored a resolution at the UN General Assembly, which called for a global dialogue on tolerance and peace based on respect for human rights and the diversity of religions and beliefs.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has spoken out against anti-Muslim bigotry, noting that it is part of the resurgence of nationalism and fascism. Guterres emphasized the importance of diversity, quoting the Holy Quran, which states that nations and tribes were created to know one another, and that diversity is a richness, not a threat.