Date: 13/03/2017
The spokesperson of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has expressed deep concern at the Islamophobic and anti-immigrant statements made by Dutch far right politician Geert Wilders during the election campaign in the Netherlands calling for Turks to leave the country. Promoting intolerance and xenophobia against Muslim communities through fear and hatred has led to a backlash against all immigrants. Such statements are not only irresponsible, but also feed the radical narratives of violent groups and terrorists. It also runs contrary to the ongoing global efforts to strengthen dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions to promote better relations between and among communities.
The OIC spokesperson reiterated that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and that terrorism should not be equated to any race or religion. The OIC urges the authorities in the Netherlands to take strong and collective measures to promote peace, harmony and tolerant co-habitation among peoples of diverse religious faiths, beliefs, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The OIC also calls upon all political, secular or religious leaders to join hands and strengthen their efforts in promoting peaceful coexistence, dialogue and mutual understanding.
