Board of OIC Youth Forum makes statement concerning the slanderous publication in "İl Foglio"

The Forum Board of the Youth Forum of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) for dialogue and cooperation (an international organization, affiliated with OIC) has made a statement which condemns slanderous article in Italian newspaper "İl Foglio", directed on blackening of internationally recognized image of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, the OIC Youth Forum`s Istanbul office reported.

The statement on behalf of youth of member countries of the Forum expresses indignation on the similar act, regarded as "provocative in substance and with malicious character".

"Charitable and humanitarian activity of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, the OIC YF`s ambassador on development of youth Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva is widely known in the world in whole, in particular, in the OIC countries. This activity serves increase of intellectual level of the Muslim youth, support for the initiatives directed on overcoming of illiteracy, decrease in youth unemployment, establishment of intercultural dialogue. The initiative of Mrs. Aliyeva on creation of the international movement "Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations" has been supported by young leaders of 5 continents, and in May current year by the United Nations, having expressed complete support for idea of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, took the said Movement under the aegis", the statement says.

"M. Aliyeva`s activity promotes decrease of inter-civilization tension and extremism on religious ground, a better mutual understanding between representatives of various cultures. And Italy as the country which is on the junction of the Islamic world and Europe is potential beneficiary of the international projects which are carried out under the initiative and patronage of the First Lady of Azerbaijan", the document further underlines. "In this connection, the provocative publication in "İl Foglio" not only contradicts norms of universal morals, values of Catholic Italy, but also on the consequences is directed against national interests and security of the Italian society".

In the statement, OIC YF on behalf of tens thousand activists both in the OIC countries and Europe urges management of the edition to make official apologies to Mrs. Aliyeva and punish originators of the false libel. "Slanderers should be responsible for lie", the Statement stresses, noting further that such reaction "will be regarded as apology for insult of feelings of many supporters of humanitarian activity of M. Aliyeva worldwide". Otherwise, the Forum urges the authorities of Italy to consider consequences of infringement by the newspaper of legal procedures about responsibility of distribution of obviously false information. The Organization also reserves the right for other protest actions in Italy and across the world, up to achievement of the above-stated purposes.


/AzerTAc/