Addressing the 12th OIC Information Ministers’ Conference in Istanbul, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb forcefully and effectively highlighted multifaceted problems faced by the Muslim Ummah and also gave some valuable suggestions on part of Pakistan to deal with them.
The most pressing issues are those of Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir where oppressed people have been facing state terrorism over the last many decades by India and Israel.
It is however utter failure on part of Muslim countries that their plight is not properly being projected even in this age when several media tools and instruments are available.
The Information Minister was right in her assertion that the media of OIC member states need to provide maximum coverage to the sufferings and brave struggle of the Kashmiri and Palestinian people.
This in fact is very important to counter the false and fake narrative of occupying forces as well as sensitize the people around the world about actual situation that will definitely build pressure on important capitals to fulfil their responsibilities for resolution of these outstanding disputes as per the UN Security Council resolutions.
Some of the OIC member states have a very strong media whose voices are heard around the globe and we expect that they will be forthcoming in presenting the true picture of these oppressed people.
We will also suggest that these member states should also collaborate to jointly produce documentaries, films and dramas in different languages to highlight blatant human rights violations taking place in Palestine and Kashmir.
This in fact will go a long way in exposing the true face of oppressors before the world.
In her address, Marriyum Aurangzeb also suggested the formation of a working group on Disinformation and Islamophobia.
Given the hate campaign against Muslims and Islamophobic incidents taking place in different parts of the world, it is imperative for Muslim countries to play their role to counter this dangerous trend.
The suggestion of working group should not stay only on papers but we expect that our government will also pursue this matter with the member countries to achieve tangible results.
The work of working group involving also experts and religious scholars should revolve around projecting true teachings and image of Islam through different platforms including the OIC media and dialogue.
