France badly hurt sentiments of Muslims in Rabiul Awwal: Tahir Ashrafi

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Prime Minister's Special Representative on Religious Harmony Maulana Tahir Ashrafi said that France has badly hurt the sentiments of Muslims in the month of Rabiul Awwal.

In a tweet on Monday, the special representative said the issue of blasphemous caricatures will be taken up at the forum of OIC.

He also said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has already raised the desecration of sanctities at every forum.

Tahir Ashrafi said love for holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) more than anything else in the world is part of our faith.

Earlier today, the French ambassador to Pakistan has been summoned to Foreign Ministry to lodge strong protest against spread of Islamophobia.

Sources said that it would also be clarified any blasphemous act would not be tolerated. Moreover, a protest letter will also be handed over to the French ambassador.

Expressing his views in 92 News Program 'Subh Saveray Pakistan' on Monday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that anti-Muslims narrative based on hatred was increasing.

"France itself should ban the blasphemous caricatures," he added.

In a statement, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the UN to take notice and action against the hate-based narrative against Islam.

He said that irresponsible statement of the French president had added fuel to the fire. "Nobody has the right to hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims under the garb of freedom of expression."

The minister said that the seeds of hate that are being cultivated today will polarize the society and have serious consequences.

Under instructions from the Prime Minister Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that a comprehensive resolution would be presented at the next meeting of the OIC foreign ministers, proposing to observe 15th March as the international day against Islamophobia.