ISTANBUL: Information and Broadcasting Minister Maryam Aurangzeb on Saturday urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to protect the fundamental rights of people around the world, especially in areas where they were a minority. Play your role more actively.
Addressing the 12th session of the Islamic Conference of Ministers of Information, he said now is the time for the OIC to step up efforts to combat Islamophobia.
“The ugly trend of Islamophobia is not abating. Hate speech and hate crimes against Muslims in South Asia are a growing concern. Despite our efforts to the contrary, mob lynchings in India, premeditated There has been a steady increase in closed sectarian riots and negative portrayals in electronic and social media. As a representative of the collective aspirations of the Muslim Ummah, he asserted, the OIC is uniquely positioned to lead this effort. is ready and must throw its full political and economic weight to protect the fundamental rights of Muslims and the interests of Muslim minorities.
He made several recommendations along with observations regarding the challenges faced by Muslims, especially in the information domain and their faith in Islam. The minister highlighted the deliberate use of information control tools to define perceptions about Islam and Muslims. He said that many Muslim countries now have independent media that have created a place in people’s minds about the stereotypical image of Islam.
Information colonialism has to be fought, he said, as a new independent information system has been established. More work needs to be done to create informational coordination among Muslim states. He asserted that Muslim states must look within themselves and deal with the conditions and trends at home that are giving rise to misunderstandings about Islam and Muslim societies.
He highlighted the steps needed to take hatemongers to task, saying a focus on greater democracy, greater public participation, greater inclusion and freedom of expression that is culturally sensitive and internationally presentable. Yes, we should aim to combat motivated misrepresentation. “We must fight fake news with real news. Fight bots with the aspirations of real people and trolls with real polls. Laws to identify and prosecute those who promote hate and fraud. However, we must preserve fundamental freedoms.” The minister emphasized that OIC member countries should take advantage of the momentum created by the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution. In which March 15 is celebrated as the International Day against Islamophobia.
