JEDDAH, Tuesday, March 15, 2022 (WAFA) - Marking the third anniversary of the March 15, 2019, terrorist attack, which took innocent lives of 51 Muslim worshippers in Christchurch, New Zealand, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, renewed the OIC's call on the United Nations and other international and regional organizations to officially declare 15 March of each year as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in order to consolidate global awareness of the threat of hatred and fanaticism against Muslims.

He also reiterated in a statement his call to the international community to take concrete measures to combat this phenomenon and to advance tolerance and peaceful coexistence across the world.

While paying tribute to the fallen martyrs and renewing the OIC's deep sympathy and solidarity with the families of the victims, the Secretary-General reiterated the OIC's position condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of the motivations and the identity of the perpetrator, while emphasizing the fact that hatred could easily manifest into a disastrous violence, especially when it is committed on the ground of faith or religion.

M.K.