OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to meet next week in wake of New Zealand attacks: Qureshi

E-Paper | June 15, 2026

OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to meet next week in wake of New Zealand attacks: Qureshi

Dawn.com Published March 17, 2019

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, accompanied by FO spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal (right), addresses a press conference on Sunday. — DawnNewsTV

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Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday announced that an emergency meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been called on March 22 in Istanbul to discuss the causes, impacts and way forward in the aftermath of the New Zealand terror attacks.

Earlier in the day, the Foreign Office confirmed that the death toll of Pakistani victims in the New Zealand terror attacks had risen to nine. Also on Sunday, New Zealand police announced the death toll from the attacks — carried out by 28-year-old Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant — had risen to 50. Tarrant, who was arrested shortly after the Friday shootings, was indicted by a district court for murder on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference, the foreign minister said that he has been in contact since yesterday with his Turkish counterpart and the two have agreed to summon the meeting. Turkey currently holds the rotating OIC presidency.

Read: What we know so far about the Pakistani victims of the New Zealand terror attacks

"The idea [behind summoning the meeting] is to devise a strategy against Islamophobia, while keeping the Christchurch tragedy in mind," he said, adding that the participants will discuss the root cause of the issue.

According to Anadolu Agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif also called for holding an emergency meeting of the OIC during a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.

In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Zarif called for "appropriate reaction of Muslim states to this heinous crime".

Qureshi on Sunday, accompanied by FO spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, said that according to the authorities in New Zealand, the process for identification of bodies has been completed and they will start handing over all bodies to their heirs on Monday. He added that New Zealand has agreed to keep the foreign ministry in loop in connection with the investigations.

Take a look: ‘RUN!’: New Zealand shooting victims recount horror, mourn the lost

Qureshi further said that the families of six Pakistani victims have decided to offer funeral prayers and bury their loved ones in Christchurch, while families of three victims want to bring back the bodies to offer last rituals in Pakistan. He said that he has already asked New Zealand officials to hasten the process.

The national flag be flown at half-mast on Monday (tomorrow), he added.

The foreign minister paid tribute to Naeem Rashid, one of the victims, for his bravery and courage. Rashid has been hailed as a hero on social media after being seen in a video of the attacks apparently trying to tackle the gunman before being shot.

The minister said that despite being injured, Rashid, while showing exemplary valour, tried to stop the gunman. He said that in recognition of Rashid's courage, he will be honoured with a national award on Pakistan Day, March 23.

The same was announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier in the day.

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Islamophobia

Pakistan

Death toll of Pakistanis in New Zealand terror attacks rises to 9

What we know so far about the Pakistani victims of the New Zealand terror attacks

‘RUN!’: New Zealand shooting victims recount horror, mourn the lost

Atif

Mar 17, 2019 02:52pm

It's a great tragedy. But why flag not flown at half mast when larger number of people are killed within the country

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Dipak

Mar 17, 2019 02:58pm

Start playing religious card.

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joe

Mar 17, 2019 02:59pm

to discuss the causes, impacts and way forward in the aftermath of the New Zealand "" Cause is very simple and we do hope will be given due consideration. " Following too much of customs, traditions and way of living" of the country these emigrants come from."Trying to maintain a very separate identity from the local population..

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Pravin

Mar 17, 2019 03:10pm

Emergency OIC meeting was never convened when thousands of innocent Afghan Muslims was butchered by Taliban suicide bombers in mosque.

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Angry Pitbull

Mar 17, 2019 03:21pm

RIP for the innocent lives lost in New Zealand terrorists act. OIC condemned the Christchurch terrorists attack but no condemnation on Pulwama attack.

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Zak

Mar 17, 2019 04:11pm

Kindly also put on the agenda, the unity of Muslim nation's. A house divided, is a house that falls. Iran and Saudi must see the larger picture and stop the conflict, overtly and covertly. Starting with Yemen. The vested interests and behind the scene players , sitting in the west are intending to change the map of the world. And the muslims are busy fighting among themselves.

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Amir Ali Khan

Mar 17, 2019 04:13pm

It's highly regrettable that Muslim countries have done nothing concrete to counter the anti-Islam notion. Now is the time for all Muslim countries to shun their differences and join together to come up with a united strategy to negate this perception.

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Divakar

Mar 17, 2019 05:08pm

Strategy should be towards reducing Islamophobia by focusing on the root cause of the same.

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Soul Spoken

Mar 17, 2019 05:11pm

Please hold similar meetings when Muslim extrimist do sucidal blust throughout World. That shows your responsibility to rest of the world since life of every human being is precious. I didn’t see any such meeting post London, Paris, Mumbai, Bali, Washington etc Terror attack’s.

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Indian

Mar 17, 2019 05:21pm

Sushma Swaraj to be guest of honor again

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berman

Mar 17, 2019 05:49pm

@Pravin, because Muslims killing Muslims is ok but non Muslims killing Muslims is not OK!

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RAJA CHILL

Mar 17, 2019 06:35pm

I can see the world is dividing between Muslim and non Muslim sympathisers. Strange times are coming.Hope OIC take right decision to avoid religious conflicts.

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Aziz Ahmad

Mar 17, 2019 07:01pm

@Soul Spoken, well said.

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Be Honest

Mar 17, 2019 07:15pm

@Atif: Good point. But then you will never be able to raise the flag!

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KSR

Mar 17, 2019 07:21pm

@Angry Pitbull, Because they cares only for Muslim

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Silver

Mar 17, 2019 08:09pm

@Angry Pitbull, cant compare the two. One is a hate terrorist crime and the other is freedom fighter attack to free from oppression.

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My Comments

Mar 17, 2019 08:31pm

Very good. OIC should raise concern about Muslim haters around the world. International human right agencies should pay attention and do something to educate people to reduce and eliminate hatred among people of different race, religion, different colour and different background. Human race should try to promote harmony and peaceful living in the world.

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K. Aksay Gul

Mar 17, 2019 09:00pm

What can the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation do about it really?

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Zak_to_zaak

Mar 17, 2019 09:06pm

@Angry Pitbull, Yes true

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Trust

Mar 17, 2019 09:57pm

@Soul Spoken, well said brother

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Farrukh Munir

Mar 17, 2019 10:45pm

@Atif, because our geat leaders just woke up to this.

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Nasir

Mar 17, 2019 11:30pm

@Pravin, Why you care?

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Abbas Syed

Mar 17, 2019 11:53pm

Qureshi sahib, please do not fool innocent people and exploit their religious sentiments with this OIC call for an emergency meeting to discuss the cowardly terror on Muslims in Christchurch, Newzealand. There is hardly anything that this toothless organization, rather a tea club, OIC could do for the working people from Pakistan or elsewhere in Newzealand. If OIC could do anything for the working people it should first address the humiliating conditions foreign workers, including Pakistanis, work in the Arab Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States.

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Khan

Mar 18, 2019 01:01am

@joe, Feel sorry for your conservative and narrow mind

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Aamir

Mar 18, 2019 01:09am

@Dipak, Mr Dipak - Do you see it any other way when all the people who were massacred were of one single faith? They were killed for following their faith ? Please help us all understand how else would you see it ? Perhaps your limited level of intellect make it difficult for you see it what other audience failed to see.

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anwarsher

Mar 18, 2019 01:17am

Another excuse for Qureshi to take a foreign trip.

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Holmes

Mar 18, 2019 01:17am

@joe, This is not an issue of 'immersion'. Most of these people who died were professionals; chartered accountants, engineers, professors, IT experts and CEO's of companies. They went for a Friday service at the mosque and were butchered by a rabid white supremacist terrorist. That's it. Its certainly not an immersion issue and you certainly sound like a 'Joe'!

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Holmes

Mar 18, 2019 01:22am

@Dipak, Dude show some respect and decency. These people died. I'm not sure how you would react when your family members go to a temple and are slaughtered by a white supremacist terrorist.

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Jack

Mar 18, 2019 01:34am

I'm sorry but the OIC is useless. It has self centered leaders who are cowards. It requires new leadership, new visions. What have the OIC stopped in terms of Muslims or minority groups being killed? They can ban all Zionist Islamophobia media in their own Muslim counties. That would be a great start.

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Jack

Mar 18, 2019 01:35am

@K. Aksay Gul, Nothing. They are useless cowards. Sorry.

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Zak

Mar 18, 2019 02:02am

@K. Aksay Gul, before opening your mouth, see how many ndians live on OIC countries handout and charity.

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My Comments

Mar 18, 2019 02:35am

@K. Aksay Gul, OIC ministers can raise awareness of crimes against Muslims of the world. So each country can actively take action to prevent terrorism against Muslims.

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American by heart

Mar 18, 2019 03:01am

This guy who carried out this attack target anyone other than whites. He knew this is the only place we’re majority of non white people get together on every Friday. Very sad the terrorist was white supramist he did not like immigrants. Nothing to do with religion.

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Iftekhar Hassan

Mar 18, 2019 03:33am

OIC need to create an universal Islamic constitution. A constituent assembly can be created to first debate major articles based on reality on the ground of 21st century and beyond that is acceptable to all Islamic countries of the world. This constitution can and must include reason, right to debate state affairs, criticize rulers or government officials by any individual of the state in a civilized manner and must be respected by all. Obviously, freedom of expression like that exist within western democracies will not be possible first. At least, this Islamic constitution will be up to 80% compatible to western democratic Such as, right to use, print derogatory comments, expression in form of insulting religious personalities and symbols. This Universal Islamic constitution can be adopted by any Islamic country with each and every Islamic country's local culture and custom.

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only for pakistan

Mar 18, 2019 04:46am

In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Zarif called for "appropriate reaction of Muslim states to this heinous crime". what about your role in Syria ?

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Mar 18, 2019 07:58am

& there will reference to Kashmir too in the same meeting....

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Iftekhar Hassan

Mar 18, 2019 08:39am

@Farrukh Munir , You meant to say, our great leaders sleeps until 1.00 p.m.

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Raheem Uddeen

Mar 18, 2019 09:43am

Good move by the present government.

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Ranajyoti

Mar 18, 2019 10:31am

@My Comments , you can't play both the cards at a time ie. muslim organisations and world organisations.

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Asif Ali

Mar 18, 2019 08:32pm

@Silver, they also fighting to free their country from muslim invaders.

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