Riyadh (UNA/WAFA) – The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Mohammed Al-Badawi, affirmed that the GCC countries are taking significant and valuable steps to combat Islamophobia, based on the fact that Islam is a religion of love, tolerance, and understanding. It calls for peace and coexistence among peoples and urges respect for cultural and religious diversity.
This came during his statement on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
He noted that all joint Gulf statements, at all levels, renew the call for the importance of consolidating the values of dialogue and respect between peoples and cultures, and rejecting everything that would spread hatred and extremism. They also call for concerted international efforts to promote these principles in all societies, and to spread the culture of religious tolerance, dialogue and coexistence. They condemn all statements offensive to Islam, Muslims and Islamic civilization, and emphasize the importance of confronting all manifestations of hatred, fanaticism, negative stereotyping and the distortion of the image of religions.
He pointed to the efforts being made by the GCC states in this area, including the proposal to establish a Gulf scientific observatory to combat extremism, through the Committee of Their Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Islamic Affairs and Endowments in the GCC states. This proposal is an important and much-needed step, as it will contribute to enhancing the visibility of Islam's true image and countering hate campaigns.
The Secretary-General affirmed the GCC states' firm positions and decisions regarding terrorism and extremism, regardless of their source, rejecting them in all their forms and manifestations, rejecting any motives or justifications for them, working to dry up their sources of funding, and supporting international efforts to combat terrorism. He stressed that terrorism is not linked to any religion, culture, nationality, or ethnic group, and that tolerance and coexistence among nations and peoples are among the most important principles and values upon which the societies of the GCC states were founded, and which are reflected in their dealings with other peoples.
He condemned all terrorist acts, affirming the sanctity of bloodshed and rejecting attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, such as schools, places of worship, and hospitals. He called on the international and regional community to maintain coordination to confront terrorist groups and sectarian militias that threaten security and destabilize.
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