President Nazarbayev condemned global mass media demonizing Islam

"I would like to focus on one common serious problem. Most of global mass media demonize Islam as a threat of national security, cultural and religious foundations. Islam is presented as a religion, which welcomes political violence, extremism and terrorism. We must not put up with such a situation," the Head of State said at the VII World Islamic Economic Forum in Astana.

"We are based on a belief that terrorism and extremism have nothing in common with great world religions. I call upon to think - the Muslim world is the main goal and target of global terrorism. Every year thousands of innocent people die in the Islamic countries. Is it fair to equate Islam and terrorism?" N.Nazarbayev added.

According to the President, the experience of recent years proves that terrorism is a product of specific powers with a specific goal.

"It is strongly associated not only with transnational crime, trafficking in drugs and weapons, but, unfortunately, it has geopolitical origins," N.Nazarbayev outlined.

The Head of State called upon the OIC countries to form a positive image of Islam as a religion of peace, welfare, tolerance and fairness.