JEDDAH: Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), praised King Salman for his “strong and firm” response to Friday’s terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in which 50 people were killed.
He also called on the international community to confront terrorism and hate speech in all forms against religion and the values of coexistence.
Al-Othaimeen said: “The words of King Salman come as support for the OIC, its committees, institutions and administrations, to control and combat Islamophobia.”
He said that the world now had “an opportunity to admit that terrorism has no religion, and that everyone is at risk,” adding that the king had provided leadership around which all Muslims could unite to face hate.
“Cooperation is essential to determine responsibilities and commitments, to criminalize hate, and to set controls and legislation to prevent extremists from using social media, spreading their destructive ideas, recruiting the weak and filling their hearts and minds with hatred.”
He also expressed profound grief and sorrow at the tragic deaths of many residents in the port city of Beira, Mozambique, as tropical cyclone Idai unleashed widespread damage and destruction on Friday, cutting off communications and electricity.
Al-Othaimeen sent his condolences to the people of Mozambique, urging OIC member states to provide immediate support to affected areas, to prevent the situation escalating from a natural disaster into a humanitarian crisis.
Saudi king’s stance on Christchurch attack lauded
Saudi king’s stance on Christchurch attack lauded
- Al-Othaimeen said that the world now had “an opportunity to admit that terrorism has no religion, and that everyone is at risk”
