OIC Information Ministers Call For Developing Media Mechanisms To Fight Terrorism

Jeddah, 22 Rabi’ul Awwal 1438/22 December 2016 (MINA) – Wrapping up of their session in Jeddah, ministers of Information and Communications from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states underlined the need for further enhancing cooperation among the member states in developing media mechanisms to fight terrorism.

In a final communiqué, called Jeddah Declaration, adopted at the end of the 11th Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers, they also emphasized the importance of effectively countering the malicious campaign unleashed against Islam and Muslims, particularly Islamophobia.

The conference, with the theme of “The Role of New Media in Confronting Terrorism and Islamophobia” was held at the Palace of Conferences in Jeddah on Wednesday (21/12), IINA News reported.

“Addressing the issue of Islamophobia starts with presenting the truth about the magnanimous religion of Islam to foreign interlocutors in a thoughtful and effective manner,” the declaration noted.

The ministers commended the special role of media in Islamic countries in exposing the brutal Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and urged it to continue to highlight the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people and defend them until the establishment of their independent State with Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital, and ending the Israeli occupation of the Arab territories.

The ministers called on the media to support all efforts made to achieve the national unity of the Palestinian people and abstain from any unethical practice that would fuel conflicts and exacerbate divisions in its rows.

The declaration also highlighted the important role of media based on Islamic principles and moderate discourse in countering firmly and successfully media campaigns which aim to cause prejudice to Islamic holy sanctity and disseminate hate and discrimination against Muslims, with associating Islam – a religion of compassion and peace – with the phenomena of violence and terrorism which the conference rejects categorically and denounces strongly.

It also called for media in member states to serve truth and convey the concerns of citizens of member states and to demonstrate the greatest degree of professionalism and objectivity in reporting facts.

The information ministers also praised the OIC’s efforts in promoting the message of Islam and promoting dialogue between the Islamic culture and the cultures of the world, denouncing at the same time the criminal acts by the Houthi militias and those behind them by launching a ballistic missile toward the holy city of Makkah,
They also condemned all manifestations of violence, extremism, fanaticism and terrorism which distort the noble messages of human cultures.(T/P008/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)