OIC meeting begins to discuss Christchurch terror attacks, Islamophobia

INSTANBUL: An emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers on Friday began, to discuss the terror attacks on two mosques in New Zealand and increasing violence based on Islamophobia.      

The open ended meeting is being chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations, European Union and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe have also been invited to the meeting.

OIC Secretary General, Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen will present at the meeting an overview of the organization’s efforts to raise awareness about the threat posed by Islamophobia and countering all forms and manifestations of terrorism.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has arrived in Turkey to attend the OIC meeting.

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Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey, Syrus Sajjad Qazi and other officials of Pakistan embassy received him at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul.

Qureshi will also meet his Turkish, Iranian and New Zealand counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting.

During his meeting, they will discuss different matters of bilateral, regional and international interests.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack on mosques in Christchurch, martyring 50 worshipers.

In a telephonic conversation with his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, the premier strongly condemned the attack and admired the humane handling of the situation after the massacre.