Rising trend in Islamophobia, a serious phenomenon: FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD, Mar 22 (APP):Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said that rising trend of Islamophobia was a serious phenomenon which did not happen overnight.

He was talking to TRT World, Turkish international news channel
broadcast in Istanbul, after the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting on Islamophobia.

The Foreign Minister said that earlier caricatures were used to
hurt the feelings of Muslims.

Referring to the discrepancy in approach, he said terrorism
had been selectively defined and added this approach will have
to be checked effectively.

“When non-muslim go for terrorist act, it is considered as
individual act(s)” he said and added “whereas when Muslim is
involved in something, it was categorized as terrorist act(s),
thus Islam is demonized.”

In the current scenario, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that
media will have to play an effective role, besides the social
media acting in responsible manner.

He said that unity within the OIC and Ummah was extremely
important.

The Foreign Minister lauded the role of Prime Minister of
New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern for tactfully handling the sensitive
and emotional issue of Christchurch attack.

He said that the people of New Zealand had also defended
the Muslims and chosen to guard the mosques, and volunteered
to raise funds for the victims of the incident.