Jeddah: Muslim communities and minorities living in non-Muslim countries have been urged to continue to integrate in their host societies.
They should collaborate with their societies in accordance with the laws in force and, in case of issues, follow peaceful procedures and official channels to resolve them, Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) Secretary General Yousef A Al Othaimeen said.
He made the statement following a virtual media forum in which he delivered a lecture attended by several OIC representatives, diplomats, officials and media figures across four continents.
The forum, in its first edition, was organised by the OIC Union of News Agencies (UNA) focused on the efforts in serving Islamic causes.
The OIC chief insisted on the duty of all Muslims to set examples through their pacifism, good conduct, behaviour and opinions.
They should also incarnate the noble values of Islam that advocate love of neighbour, mutual affection, tolerance and acceptance of others, as well as reject all forms of extremism.
The secretary general called on Muslims living in the West to leave positive impacts as they contribute to the progress of knowledge and culture and to act as good citizens who reject any tendency to isolate themselves from society or attempt to impose their own opinions and beliefs on others.
He urged the around 65 million Muslims who live in Europe and Russia - the "silent majority" with regard to standing up to terrorism, extremism and extremism - to be cohesive and speak out their views and opinions in order to isolate "dissonant voices."
Al Othaimeen said the OIC cares about the wellbeing of Muslim communities and has undertaken important roles for their causes in many countries.
He said that Islamophobia, extremism and terrorism lived off and fed one another.
"The phenomena of fanaticism, extremism and terrorism reinforce the feelings of hatred towards Islam and Muslims.
Trends in extremism, fanaticism or terrorism exist in different classes on both sides, regardless of religion and nationality," he said.
Al Othaimeen highlighted the important role that the OIC Observatory on Islamophobia plays in identifying Islamophobia cases and in raising awareness among states and international organisations.
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