DAKAR - Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Thursday that terrorism and violence still threaten the world and added that "these two troubles sometimes stain the name of Islam".
"Ethnic and religious extremism and fanaticism has been rising all over the world under various names and forms both in east and the west. In some countries, Muslim people are the target of a campaign called Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism," Gul told 11th Summit of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) which is held in Senegalese capital Dakar.
Stating that tragedy in Palestine continues, Gul said it is important to encourage unity of Palestinian people.
Reminding that occupation of Arab and Azerbaijani territories, Kashmir problem, political crisis in Lebanon still continue, Gul noted that independent Republic of Kosovo needs solidarity.
He also touched on developments in Afghanistan and Iraq, and said reconstruction process in these countries have progressed slowly, painfully and risky.
On Cyprus issue, Gul said, "inhuman embargoes and pressure are put on people of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."
He also said assuming responsibility for the problems of Africa is a "moral obligation", especially for Islamic countries.
Pointing out Annapolis Conference, which he said was a last chance for peace in the Middle East, Gul called on all countries to contribute to such initiatives.
Gul also asked OIC member countries to support Turkey in its bids to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and host EXPO 2015 in Aegean city of Izmir, adding that EXPO would be organized in a Muslim country for the first time if Izmir is elected in a voting to be held on March 31st in Paris.
(TÇ-SOL)