IT is interesting to see that the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), representing the 1.5 billion Muslims, tackled some real issues for a change at its 11th Summit held in Dakar, Senegal in the second week of March. A detailed report on Islamophobia, prepared by a special OIC monitoring group, was submitted before the Muslim leaders. The report recorded the anti-Islam speeches and actions around the world, citing the publication of the Danish cartoons, as well as articles by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali-born woman who claims women do not have rights under Islam. The report concluded that Islam is under attack and that a defence must be mounted. “Muslims are being targeted by a campaign of defamation, denigration, stereotyping, intolerance and discrimination,” said the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. “The Islamophobes remain free to carry on their assault due to absence of necessary legal measures against the misuse or abuse of the right to freedom of expression,” charges the report. The OIC called on Europe and America to take stronger measures against ‘Islamophobia' while the Muslim leaders and heads of state protested against the growing Islam-bashing in the West warning of “dangerous implications for global peace and security” and have sought to convince Western powers to do more. It is a sad fact that Islamophobia is growing worldwide, from outrageous Danish cartoons, the planned Dutch film attacking the Qur'an, to the numerous books and movies targeting the Prophet (peace be upon him), Islam and the Holy Qur'an. So when the Islamophobia is on the rise, it is quite appropriate for the OIC to have this key issue high on the Summit's agenda. Right now, at least two films attacking the Holy Qur'an are ready for release. Despite angry protests from Muslim countries, Dutch MP Geert Wilders is going ahead with his movie on the Qur'an. In the past, Wilders has demanded a ban on the Holy Book likening it to Hitler's Mein Kampf. The movie is not the first of its kind. Another film ‘Submission' by another Dutch filmmaker, Van Gogh, featured Qur'anic verses against a naked female body. The Muslim world, they said, is “confronted by hatred and bigotry of radical marginal groups who believe that it is only through insulting Muslims and their religious symbols that they can demonstrate their commitment to freedom of speech.” Saudi Arabia took the lead in condemning the cartoons denigrating the Noble Prophet. While addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 12 March, Dr. Zaid Bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Hussein, Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, strongly criticized the cartoons as a violation of human rights. “If the concept of human rights means anything, it should at least mean respect for humans. To unjustifiably ridicule, attack or defame others should be considered a violation of one's rights to a decent life without unwarranted aggression and attack.” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the most respected and loved Prophet for the worldwide Muslim community. Every Muslim loves him more than himself, his family, wife and children. It is inconceivable for any Muslim to see someone ridicule, insult and defame him. No Muslim can tolerate these outrageous blasphemous cartoons. They are demanding the complete severance of diplomatic relations with Denmark or boycott of the Danish products. “The only result one can expect from (the Danish cartoons ridiculing Islam) is more hatred, violence and fear,” said Dr. Al-Hussein, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Despite anger provoked by the cartoons, Muslims in general are not taking the course of staging violent demonstrations. They are thinking of the rightful way of taking action. Al-Hussein told the Human Rights Council that Muslims should not engage in false or hostile propaganda against others even in the presence of extreme hatred. “A Muslim is never allowed to deviate from what is truthful and proper,” he said. “The ultimate goal of a Muslim is to seek the pleasure of God, and God is pleased with truth and justice.” The Khaleej Times editorially suggested, “The right way of meeting the situation is for Muslim governments to take lead, like the UAE has done, and make it clear to Europeans that such behavior will have a pronounced effect on bilateral relations, laying the ball squarely in the offenders' court.” “In our relation with the Western world, we are going through a difficult time,” Ihsanoglu told the Summit's general assembly. “Islamophobia cannot be dealt with only through cultural activities but (through) a robust political engagement,” he said. “Talking, explaining, communicating, exchanging ideas – these are the weapons to defeat Islamophobia,” a UAE newspaper suggested. Leaders of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which represents 1.5 billion Muslims from across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, adopted the Dakar Declaration after the two-day deliberations. “We continue to strongly condemn all forms of extremism and dogmatism which are incompatible with Islam, a religion of moderation and peaceful coexistence,” it said. The Dakar Declaration recommends cooperation and dialogue with the non-Muslim world to defuse a potential clash of civilizations stoked by Western fears over terrorism and Muslims' anger at perceived insults against their faith. “We believe that it is important to plan along such lines a preparatory phase by organizing a major international gathering on Islamic-Christian dialogue that involves governments among other players,” it said. __
