Muslim leader slams extremists

last updated 8 January 2015

Istanbul

The Islamic world needs to “critique itself” and reform, said Abdelwahed Belkeziz, secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, at the group’s summit in Istanbul this week. He noted that the combined GDP of all 57 Muslim member states was lower than that of one “advanced” nation, such as Britain or France. Such poverty, combined with lack of democracy, provides fodder for extremists, he said. “Fanatics have seen in this an opportunity to commit odious and reprehensible acts,” Belkeziz said. “We must fight this extremism resolutely and determinedly, at a time when we are working to correct the tainted image of Islam in the world.”