Iran calls for D-8 members to facilitate tourism visa issuance

Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Ezzatollah Zarghami has suggested that the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation facilitate issuing visas for tourists.

Addressing the third D-8 Ministerial and Fourth Senior Officials meetings on tourism in Bhurban, Pakistan, Zarghami referred to the importance of the Islamic nature of the D-8 countries and the need to pay attention to commonalities such as halal and Muslim-friendly tourism as a competitive advantage, accessible tourism, open-door policy and facilitating the process of issuing visas, cheap travel, family-oriented tourism, the selection and announcement of D-8 tourism city and establishing an education center.

Referring to the phenomenon of Islamophobia, he said that unfortunately, biased propaganda has exposed Islamic countries to racial discrimination, negative prejudice, and defamation.

He stressed that tourism is the most effective way to remove this false image by introducing the true nature of Islamic countries.

During his visit to Islamabad, he also called on the President of Pakistan, Dr.Arif Alvi.