20 January 2012

OIC concerned about the rise of Islamophobia in western politics

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday expressed alarm over the anti-Islam rhetoric coming out as the US presidential elections race heats up as well as over the recent results of parliamentary elections in some European countries.

“The rise in Islamophobia in Western politics is a great concern for the OIC,” said Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the OIC.

The radical right-wing parties have won significant political weight in the parliaments in Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden and France as well as the European Parliament; in addition, such groups as the English Defense League in Britain and CasaPound in Italy are also gaining ground.

They all share an anti-Islam agenda that threatens the welfare of the Muslim community there in practicing their religion and increases their chances of being discriminated against. [ARAB NEWS] Read more