FM Qureshi leaves for Turkey to attend emergency meeting of OIC

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday night left for Turkey to attend an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers, ARY News reported.

The meeting will be held in Istanbul on Friday to discuss New Zealand terror attacks and rising Islamophobia.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi will present Pakistan’s stance on Islamophobia before the Muslim world.

He will also hold meetings with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts during this visit.

The open-ended emergency meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers will specially focus the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, which claimed the precious lives of 50 Muslims.

The meeting is being held at the request of Turkey, which holds the current chair of the Islamic Summit.

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

The meeting will also discuss the efforts to protect and support Muslim communities throughout the world.

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.

He appreciated the quick response of the local authorities and the high level of respect shown by the prime minister of New Zealand for Muslims.