OIC,Arab League Silent Despite Muslim World Reaction Over French Blasphemy

WEB DESK: The strength featured in unity cannot be undermined and its importance amplifies in presence of a concrete objective behind it.

Muslim countries have lashed the French government for defending the display of cartoons of Islam’s last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by a school teacher following his beheading. However, the corporation that was made with an aim to act as a conduit to voice concerns of the Muslim world on the issues involving its interest has not played its due role.

The role of the Organization of Islamic Corporation (OIC) and Arab league in the entire issue have remained disappointing.

Although the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned continued attacks and incitement against Muslim sentiment and insults of the Prophet Muhammad, however it is unable to play the due role.

The inactiveness of the Muslim world forums at this moment amid a burning issue may end up this protest as short-lived. If the corporation does not mobilize its participants, the pressure balloon on France may deflate soon.

OIC needs to develop a course of action for its members, which can include a collective boycott of its products, building diplomatic pressure through different channels, etc. Until it’s too late, a joint effort at this hour could be equal to striking a hammer while iron is hot.

Both can force the European nation to apologize for its anti-Muslim remarks apart from the conveyance of a strong message that can prevent the country from repeating disparaging acts in the future.

It should not just be about inflicting economic injury but more of inculcating the argument that different beliefs and holy figures associated with them should be respected.

Earlier, France has urged Middle Eastern countries to end calls for a boycott of its goods in protest at President Emmanuel Macron’s defence of the right to show cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

The French foreign ministry said the “baseless” calls for a boycott were being “pushed by a radical minority”.

French products have been removed from some shops in Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar.

Meanwhile, protests have been seen in Libya, Syria and the Gaza Strip.

How widespread is the boycott on French products?
Some supermarket shelves had been stripped of French products in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait by Sunday. French-made hair and beauty items, for example, were not on display.

In Kuwait, a major retail union has ordered a boycott of French goods.

Earlier this month, before the teacher’s killing, Mr Macron had already announced plans for tougher laws to tackle what he called “Islamist separatism” in France.