Permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, Munir Akram, which speaks in the name of the Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC), asked the global community to act “decisively” by counteracting the growing incidents of Islamophobia and other manifestations of antimuse hate, intolerance and introduction.
Akram ambassador’s comments occurred when the UN General Assembly marked the International Day to combat Islamophobia on Friday.
“Our goal must be to promote a collective effort to combat Islamophobia with unity and empathy,” Akram told the assembly of 193 members, who also heard messages of solidarity of the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres and the president of the Assembly, Filemón Yang.
“We should commit ourselves to use the positive messages of peace, justice, tolerance and compassion that Islam and, in fact, all religions offer to combat Islamophobia and all other manifestations of hate, intolerance and intolerance.”
In 2022, the General Assembly adopted a resolution, co -crocked by Pakistan, designating on March 15 as the International Day to combat Islamophobia, which called a “decisive moment” as the world finally recognized the danger raised by this threat.
The day was celebrated while the Muslim world was watching the Sacred Month of Ramazan.
“Islamophobia is not restricted to a region, it is resurgents in the West and East,” said Akram Ambassador, speaking by OIC.
“Islamophobia is now being used as a way for political progress and popularity, feeding the worst human instincts of fear, prejudice and hate [and] In some countries, Muslims are being systematically marginalized and suppressed, ”added the Pakistani envoy.
In this sense, Ambassador Akram urged governments to ensure that their policies and laws reflect an unequivocal commitment to religious tolerance; and media and misinformation are not used to feed hatred.
In addition, he asked governments to ensure that no law was armed to reduce Muslim identity or discriminate against them; and no citizen of any state is relegated to the second -class status based on their faith.
“No nation can affirm that it is a true democracy, while systematically aliena and marginalizes its Muslim citizens,” he said.
Pointing out the consequences of religious intolerance, mass expulsions, inquisitions, pogroms and genocide, the Pakistani envoy said: “Today, Islamophobic postures, policies and actions follow the same hateful hate and intolerance hazardous have proliferated in recent times, especially against Muslims.
“We are witnessing the political narratives that seek to exclude, deprive their rights and demonize Muslims even in societies that have acted as champions of tolerance, pluralism, democracy and human rights.”
The manifestations of Islamophobia, he said, included multiple acts of desecration of the symbols and sacred sites of Islam; Defamamation of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh); the suppression of Muslim identity, such as Hijab’s prohibitions; and marginalization and discrimination against entire Muslim communities.
“In many places, prejudice against Muslims is being fueled instead of suppressing itself; The resentments are being revived instead of reconciling; And discrimination is being legitimized by policies and pronouncements, ”he added.
In this context, he cited the Christchurch massacre of March 15, 2019 and the Israeli slaughter of the Palestinians in Gaza as “vivid illustration of Islamophobia, hatred and racism.”
Ambassador Akram thanked the UN Chief for indicating his intention to nominate Miguel Moratinos, a Senior Spanish diplomat and the head of the UN Civilization Alliance, as his special envoy on Islamophobia.
“We ask for the early approval of the financial resources necessary to allow the Secretary General and its special envoy to implement the provisions of this resolution of the General Assembly on the combination of Islamophobia.”
The OIC, he added, hoped to work with the secretary general and his special envoy to develop an action plan to combat Islamophobia.
Such an action plan could include: a definition of Islamophobia and its manifestations, a mechanism to monitor and compile acts of Islamophobia, and a template for national legislation that criminalizes acts of Islamophobia.
It could also incorporate a responsibility mechanism, as well as media and education programs to counteract Islamophobia and propagate tolerance and harmony in societies.
Ambassador Akram expressed his appreciation for the efforts of some western countries, including Sweden and Denmark, which have promulgated laws to address Islamophobia, such as the criminalization of acts of desecration of the sacred Quran, and to ensure that freedom of expression is not badly used to propagate hate and intolerance.
He pointed out that Canada had appointed a special representative to combat Islamophobia, while the United States launched a national strategy against anti-Musulman hatred. Australia also appointed a special envoy to promote interreligious dialogue.
“We urge other nations to do the same,” he said.
