A/HRC/4/123 page 20 Recalling also the Final Communiqué of the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on 7 and 8 December 2005, which expressed serious concern at rising discrimination against Muslims, Taking note of the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on “Combating defamation of religions” (A/HRC/4/50), Welcoming the report by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on the “Situation of Muslims and Arabs in various parts of the world” (E/CN.4/2006/17), Also welcoming the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance submitted to the Human Rights Council at it fourth session (A/HRC/4/19), in which he draws the attention of member States to the serious nature of the defamation of all religions and to the promotion of the fight against these phenomena by strengthening the role of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, promoting reciprocal understanding and joint action to meet the fundamental challenges of development, peace and the protection and promotion of human rights, Emphasizing that States, non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and the media have an important role to play in promoting tolerance and freedom of religion and belief through education, Noting with concern that defamation of religions is among the causes of social disharmony and leads to violations of human rights, Noting with deep concern the increasing trend in recent years of statements attacking religions, Islam and Muslims in particular, in human rights forums, 1. Expresses concern at negative stereotyping of religions and manifestations of intolerance and discrimination in matters of religion or belief; 2. Expresses deep concern at attempts to identify Islam with terrorism, violence and human rights violations; 3. Notes with deep concern the intensification of the campaign of defamation of religions, and the ethnic and religious profiling of Muslim minorities, in the aftermath of the tragic events of 11 September 2001; 4. Recognizes that, in the context of the fight against terrorism, defamation of religions becomes an aggravating factor that contributes to the denial of fundamental rights and freedoms of target groups, as well as their economic and social exclusion; 5. Also expresses concern at laws or administrative measures that have been specifically designed to “control” and “monitor” Muslim and Arab minorities, thereby stigmatizing them further and legitimating the discrimination that they experience; 6. Strongly deplores physical attacks and assaults on businesses, cultural centres and places of worship of all religions as well as targeting of religious symbols;