Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit on Tuesday 15/5/2007 urged the international community to take a strong stand against contempt of religions.

He called for drafting an international legislation that shall abide all states of condemning and criminating contempt of religions.

In his speech at the 34th foreign ministerial session of the Organization of Islamic Conference, which opened in Islamabad yesterday, Abul-Gheit noted that the Islamic countries were facing major challenges including a fierce attack against Islam under the pretext of freedom of expression.

Abul-Gheit accused the international community of adopting a policy of double standards wondering why it allows attacks on faiths whilst condemns anybody who denies the Holocaust.

"This issue is more dangerous to international peace and security than the issue of global warming championed by the UN Security Council," he said.

Cooperation between the OIC member states and developing countries is the best means to achieve the goals of their peoples, he added.

It is still a long way for the fulfillment of the aspirations of the Muslim countries and peoples, he cautioned, calling for more efforts on the individual and collective levels to achieve the aspired-for progress and welfare.

Moreover, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit hailed statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Iran's readiness to restore relations with Egypt.

"These statements are positive at the level of bilateral relations between the two countries." Abul-Gheit said in statements to MENA correspondent in Islamabad in comment on Ahmadinejad's pronouncements,

He said he would discuss the issue during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki.