PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take decisive action in dealing with the issue of Islamophobia.

He said this was something he shared with OIC secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha and his delegation when they met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, today.

“Islamophobia is an extreme stance of hatred and anti-Islam, which is unreasonable because it takes a rather hateful attitude towards all Muslims.

“It also looks down on and insults the religion.

“We are asserting that there must be international readiness (to tackle the issue),” he said today, on the first day of his delegation’s three-day visit to Saudi Arabia.

Anwar said he also gave the assurance that Malaysia would continue to play a role as an active member and one of the founding countries of the OIC in dealing with various issues faced by Muslims globally.

“Turkey will work together with Malaysia to highlight the issue of Islamophobia so that it is (better) understood… we should not allow the attacks of some groups in the West who hate the religion, but we should take an approach of giving firm answers,” he said.

Anwar also said that he had raised the issue of Palestine by stating Malaysia’s commitment to continue supporting its people, in addition to wanting close co-operation between Malaysia and the OIC.

The prime minister said he also briefed the delegation on Malaysia’s efforts to mediate issues in southern Thailand, as well as on the issues of Muslims in the southern Philippines.

“We reported on our discussion with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, so that the OIC can understand the measures we are taking to resolve the problems with the Philippines and Muslims there,” he said.

Anwar added that the OIC said an international women’s conference will be organised by the Saudi Arabian government to emphasise the importance of women’s education. – Bernama, March 22, 2023.