Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 19/09/2022
The OIC Contact Group on Muslims in Europe held an open meeting at the ministerial level, on the sidelines of the 77th UNGA session in New York, on September 19, 2022. The meeting was chaired by H.E the OIC Secretary-General, Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha.
In his statement, the Secretary-General expressed the OIC's concern over rising anti-Muslim sentiments in some European states. He called for more efforts to engage in constructive dialogue in order to promote intercultural harmony, understanding, tolerance and mutual respect.
“For Muslim communities living in Europe, it has become a challenging and difficult time. They have come under daily attack as ‘alien’ to Europe,” said the Secretary General. “Muslims remain at the very heart of radical right’s divisive, chauvinistic and exclusionary political agenda,” he added.
The meeting reviewed the general situation of Muslims in Europe since the last meeting of the Contact Group, held on 22/3/2022 in Islamabad. It reiterated its unwavering support for Muslim communities, with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned.
Furthermore, the meeting called on all states to respect the freedom of religion for all Muslims, and not to restrict their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including in particular, denial of their right to exercise their civil and cultural rights.
The meeting also expressed its deep concern over the alarming trend of anti-Muslim sentiments, Islamophobia, hate speech, right-wing extremism and hate speech and pervasive discrimination-driven violent incidents against Muslims. It strongly rejected the divisive, intolerant and exclusionary political discourse of the radical right.
The meeting called on leaders of the Muslim community in Europe to intensify efforts to engage with all stakeholders, including Muslim youth and women, to promote peaceful coexistence, tolerance, inclusiveness, harmony, mutual respect and understanding.
