An Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states meeting Thursday condemned the recent act of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden as well as in the Netherlands.

The ambassadorial meeting, presided over by Pakistan’s Ambassador Munir Akram, said in its joint statement that these ‘vile’ acts were recent manifestations of Islamophobia.

It was also decided to organize a special meeting at the United Nations (UN) in New York to commemorate the Day to Combat Islamophobia in accordance with the landmark resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly last year.

“Through this event, OIC countries would call for international solidarity and cooperation to counter and eradicate anti-Muslim rhetoric and traditions, including racial profiling, discrimination, negative stereotypes and stigmatisation of Muslims,” Akram said. “As a follow-up to the resolution, the OIC will urge the UN Secretary-General to work with OIC countries to formulate an action plan to halt and reverse Islamophobia.”

The Pakistan envoy also informed the OIC meeting that on international Women’s Day, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will host and chair a High-Level Conference in New York on Women in Islam.

The member states appreciated and reiterated their strong support to Pakistan towards the initiatives during the meeting.

Among other agenda items, Wednesday’s OIC meeting endorsed Tajikistan’s candidature for election to the UN Security Council for the term 2028-2029.