Jeddah (UNA-OIC) – Marking the second anniversary of the 15 March 2019 terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, which took the lives of 51 innocent Muslim worshippers, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen paid tribute to the fallen martyrs and renewed the OIC’s deep sympathy and solidarity with the families of the victims.
The Secretary-General also extended the OIC’s highest consideration to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, her government, and the people of New Zealand for their remarkable support and solidarity with the families of the victims as well as with the Muslim community living in the country.
While condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of the motivations and the identity of its perpetrator, the OIC firmly rejects any policies, statements, and practices that associate Islam with terrorism.
Noting with concern that Islamophobia, as a contemporary form of racism and religious discrimination, is on the rise in many parts of the world, Al-Othaimeen renewed the OIC’s call to the United Nations and other international and regional organizations for the observance of 15 March of each year as an “International Day to Combat Islamophobia”, in order to consolidate global awareness about curbing this phenomenon, intolerance and hatred towards Muslims.
