MAKKAH — Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Organization of Muslim Scholars Dr. Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim Alissa will visit New Zealand to offer condolences to the victims, families and communities of the Christchurch terrorist attack.

He will also visit people wounded in the evil attack.

In a meeting with Ambassador James Monroe, New Zealand’s representative to the Kingdom, on Tuesday, Alissa said his visit would be on behalf of all Muslims.

Alissa reiterated that in the face of such evil, the global community can respond only with the values of love, harmony and peace.

Welcoming Alissa’s visit, Monroe said the tragedy would not alter New Zealand’s national harmony or diversity/

In a statement issued on Friday, Alissa said, “To address the scourge extremism and Islamophobia, we need governments and faith organizations around the world to work together to encourage religious tolerance and understanding and prevent all forms of incitement and hatred, including all types of hatred leveled against any religion or ethnicity.”

The Muslim World League has pledged to increase its efforts to work with multi-faith groups in order to create initiatives that promote greater understanding and tolerance. — SG