Deputy PM for joint actions to counter Islamophobia in context of Israel’s aggression against Palestine

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday stressed the imperative for joint action to counter Islamophobia, particularly in the context of Israel’s aggression against Palestine, which has resulted in a rise in Islamophobic and xenophobic acts around the world. He expressed these views during a meeting with the Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha on the sidelines of the 15th Islamic Summit, held in Banjul, the Gambia.

During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister congratulated the Secretary General on successfully holding the 15th OIC Islamic Summit, a statement issued by the Foreign Office said. In the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar shared Pakistan’s grave concerns about rising Islamophobia, as manifested by an increasing number of incidents of discrimination, violence, and incitement against Muslims around the world.

He briefed the Secretary General on the situation in in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the use of excessive force by Indian security forces there. Noting the historic role of the OIC in support of the just struggle of the Kashmiri people, he appreciated the role played by the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir and the Special Envoy on Kashmir and OIC’s regular monitoring of the human rights situation in IIOJK.

The OIC Secretary General reaffirmed OIC’s support to the Kashmiri people and their legitimate right to self-determination as refelfcted in various OIC resolutions. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister expressed deep concern on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the dire humanitarian situation there. He also expressed alarm at the escalation of the conflict in the region. Stressing upon an immediate ceasefire and unhindered supply of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, Senator Dar reiterated Pakistan’s principled position calling for complete withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories including Jerusalem, restitution of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people including their right of return to Palestine, and establishment of an independent homeland for Palestinians with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also applauded the OIC’s efforts and initiatives for peace in the Middle East and expressed full support of Pakistan for these initiatives.