JEDDAH — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is set to convene over 50 foreign ministers from the Muslim world to form Islamic-world strategy on combatting terrorism, violent extremism and hate speech on May 27-28 in Kuwait. The 42nd OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting will be entitled “Shared Vision in Promoting Tolerance and Denouncing Terrorism.” According to a press release, potential issues to be discussed at the upcoming session include engaging civil society across the Islamic world as a counterweight to extremism, exploring the unique role the Muslim world can play in discrediting extremist ideology, establishing counter-measures against the rising wave of Islamophobia and empowering demographic groups most vulnerable to radicalization including youth. OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani said: “Terrorism has posed daunting challenges to the security and stability of OIC member states and the global community alike. Vicious groups like Daesh, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda and the Taleban operate in violation of Islamic principles and even threaten the survival of some member states. “But we must look beyond just the security paradigm in our efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. Sustainable long-term solutions require stronger civil society engagement, the need to utilize religiously sound counter-messaging and to address socio-economic challenges like unemployment that extremist recruiters exploit.” He also added: “We must also address the extremist narratives and vitriolic hate speech that inspire both anti-Muslim aggression in countries like Myanmar and the targeting of religious minorities in Muslim-majority countries.” According to the press statement, the meeting will also include ministerial level meetings on the Mali peace process, the situation in Somalia and the humanitarian plight of the Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims. — Agencies
