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PR. No.185/2008
Date: 20/06/2008
FOREIGN MINISTER'S MEETING WITH THE OIC SECRETARY GENERAL
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanogulu, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, on the sidelines of the 35 th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), in Kampala , today.
The Foreign Minister conveyed appreciation for the Secretary General's efforts to reform and revitalize the Organization, which, with the new Charter, is now more meaningful and vibrant.
The Secretary General paid rich tributes to Pakistan for its efficient, effective and valuable contribution to the Ummah, especially during its Chairmanship of the 34 th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers. He characterized revision of the OIC Charter, accomplished under Pakistan 's Chairmanship, as a landmark event.
The Foreign Minister stated that Islamophobia is a subject of great concern to Pakistan . Our people have reacted strongly to the Danish caricatures. We firmly believe in freedom of speech but it should not be used to trample the feelings of Muslims. The OIC Secretary General agreed and added that the struggle against defamation of Islam is a human rights issue. Incitement of religious hatred is an infringement on the human rights of Muslims and should be dealt with as such.
The Foreign Minister thanked the Secretary General for his continued support and active role in the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir . He stated that the Kashmiri people greatly value the continued and consistent support of the Muslim Ummah in their just struggle against oppression and tyranny. The Secretary General assured the Foreign Minister that OIC would work for the achievement and fulfilment of this just and principled cause.
The Foreign Minister assured the Secretary General that Pakistan would be one of the first countries to ratify the new Charter of the Organisation. He further assured the Secretary General of Pakistan 's active role on all matters of importance to OIC, including the issues of human rights, Islamophobia and matters pertaining to developments in science and technology.
Islamabad
20 June 2008
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