Extremism violates Muslims'' rights to live true Islam - OIC chief

JEDDAH, Feb 2 (KUNA) -- Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani urged all OIC member states to cooperate to counter extremism which stands as a stumbling block that prevents Muslims from living true Islam.
"Another important challenge is perhaps is how to deprive the extreme voices in the Member States who hold the banner of Islam in spreading their extreme views, how to deprive them from their Islamic claim," Madani said at the opening session of the Fourth Session of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC).
"Such extremism is certainly a violation of all Muslims rights to live their Islam." He added that the OIC charter calls for exerting efforts to achieve sustainable and comprehensive human development; to preserve the Islamic teachings and values based on moderation and tolerance and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
"The OIC Charter stipulated the formation of an Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights, the IPCHR, as one of its organs for the purpose of promoting the civil, political, social and economic rights enshrined in the organization's covenants and declarations and in universally agreed human rights instrument and in conformity with Islamic values," he said.
He pointed out that the OIC, in its 10-year strategic action plan, asserted that it has become imperative on the member states to take joint action to revive the Muslim World pioneering role as a fine example of tolerance and enlightened moderation and to condemn extremism in all its forms and manifestations as it contradict Islamic and human values.
The OIC's plan also stated the need "to seriously endeavor to enlarge the scope of political participation, ensure equality, civil liberties and social justice and to promote transparency and accountability, and eliminate corruption in the OIC member states," he said.
Meanwhile, Madani condemned the atrocities committed against Muslim minority in Central Africa Republic. He disclosed that the OIC will send a humanitarian mission to neighboiring Chad to assess the needs of the CAR refugees.
Since its establishment in 2011, the IPCHR held three regular meetings and other extra-ordinary meetings and Working Group meetings. We are now at the opening of its fourth regular meeting.
The IPCHR has done commendable work in the area of Human Rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories; and on the issue of discrimination and intolerance against Muslims and on the issue of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
The Commission also established four working group to address these issues in an effective and sustained fashion: one on Palestine; on the Rights of Women and of the Child; on Islamophobia and Muslims Minorities; and on Right to Development.
It also created an Adhoc Working Group to establish a proper framework for interaction between IPHRC and Member States' accredited National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and civil society organizations. (end) nh.ibi KUNA 022240 Feb 14NNNN