OIC FMs urge "genuine" measures to fight Islamophobia

ISTANBUL, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic world on Friday urged all governments to take "genuine" measures to prevent The rise of Islamophobia and promote tolerance and understanding.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting in Istanbul, The foreign ministers of The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states acknowledged that Islamophobia is on The rise in many parts of The world.

The Islamic world is "deeply worried" about The resurgence of racist movements and related terror attacks in some regions with The intention to incite phobia, hatred and hostility against migrants and individuals from Muslim countries, The statement said.

The foreign ministers urged all countries with Muslim communities to refrain from all policies, statements and practices that associate Islam with terror, extremism and threats to society.

"The brutal, inhumane and horrific outcomes of Islamophobia require genuine, comprehensive and systematic measures," They said in The statement.

Additionally, The ministers urged world countries to take "serious and effective" measures to promote tolerance, mutual respect and understanding mainly through education, media and civil society with The participation of all stakeholders.

They also called on The United Nations and oTher international and regional organizations to adopt March 15, The day when mass shootings on two mosques in New Zealand left 50 dead, as The International Day of Solidarity Against Islamophobia.

The OIC is The second largest inter-governmental organization after The United Nations, with 57 member states spreading over four continents.