The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed concern about the increasing incidents of intimidation and anti-Muslim sentiment in Sri Lanka following the April 21 attacks on churches that left 257 people dead and more than 500 injured.
The organization said in a statement that it called on the Sri Lankan authorities to confront the letter of hatred and intolerance firmly, while ensuring the safety and security of the Muslim community in this country, noting that it noted the growing rhetoric of hatred from some groups in Sri Lanka towards Muslims.
The 57-member organization, based in Jeddah, encouraged all political leaders in Sri Lanka to "take proactive measures to promote dialogue and peace among all societies and to prevent stigmatization or marginalization of people based on race or religion."
In the past few weeks, mosques, shops and houses owned by Muslims have been attacked in different parts of Sri Lanka.
The bloody attacks against Christians have been blamed on a local Islamic group called Tawhid al-Wataniyya, but the organization of the Islamic state has adopted these attacks.
In May, police and army forces began patrolling several areas to prevent violence against Muslims that killed one of them after he was stabbed by an anti-Islamic gang.
Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist country with a population of 21 million, with Muslims accounting for 10 percent of the population.