Prime Minister Imran Khan is delivering a keynote address at the inaugural session of the 48th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the Parliament House in Islamabad.
The PM began his speech congragulating the Muslim world for the recent adoption of a resolution against Islamophobia by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), that proclaims March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
“Why was Islam equated with terrorism?” Imran questioned, and referred to the Christchurch attack on a mosque as a consequence of this stereotyping.
“Once that happens, how is the man in the street in Western countries, how is he supposed to differentiate between a moderate Muslim and a radical Muslim? Hence, this man walks into a mosque and shoots everyone he could.”
The prime minister said it was unfortunate that the Muslim world was not able to combat this image of Muslims. “What should have been done wasn’t; the heads of Muslim countries should have taken a stand on this.”
In response to this wave of Islamophobia, PM Imram said, some Muslim heads of state said they were moderate Muslims. “When you say this, you automatically say there are some extremist Muslims.”
Earlier, in his opening speech, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stressed that the forum is a bridge amongst Muslim nations and the rest of the world, highlighting its role in resolving conflicts in the Muslim world.
