• Islamophobia not restricted to one region, says Pakistani envoy.
• He says it’s being used as avenue for political advancement.
• Akram urges govts to ensure their laws reflect religious tolerance.

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), called on the world community to act “decisively” in countering the rising incidents of Islamophobia and other manifestations of anti-Muslim hate, bigotry and intolerance, as the UN General Assembly marked the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on Friday.

“Our aim must be to promote a collective effort to combat Islamophobia with unity and empathy,” Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Ambassador Munir Akram told the 193-member assembly, which also heard solidarity messages from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UNGA President Philemon Yang.

“We should commit to utilising the positive messages of peace, justice, tolerance and compassion that Islam — and indeed all religions — offer to combat Islamophobia and all other manifestations of hate, bigotry and intolerance,” said the Pakistani envoy

In 2022, the assembly adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by Pakistan, designating March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, which he called a “defining moment” as the world finally recognised the danger posed by this menace.

The day was celebrated as the Muslim world was observing the holy month of Ramadan.

“Islamophobia is not restricted to one region — it is resurgent in the West and the East,” Ambassador Akram said, speaking for the OIC.

“Islamophobia is now being used as an avenue for political advancement and popularity, feeding the worst human instincts of fear, prejudice and hate. In some countries, Muslims are being systematically marginalised and suppressed,” he added.

In this regard, Ambassador Akram urged governments to ensure that their policies and laws reflect an unambiguous commitment to religious tolerance; media and disinformation are not used to fuel hate; no law is weaponised to curtail Muslim identity or discriminate against Muslims; and no citizen of any State is relegated to second-class status based on their faith.

“No nation can claim to be a true democracy while it systematically alienates 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 dangerous — hate and intolerance have proliferated in recent times, especially against Muslims.”

“We witness political narratives that seek to exclude, disenfranchise, and demonise Muslims — even in societies that have acted as champions of tolerance, pluralism, democracy and human rights.”

The manifestations of Islamophobia, he pointed out, include multiple acts of desecration of Islam’s sacred symbols and sites; defamation of its revered Prophet Mohammad (PBUH); the suppression of Muslim identity — such as hijab bans; the marginalisation of and discrimination against entire Muslim communities.

“In many places,” he added, “prejudice against Muslims is being stoked rather than suppressed; resentments are being revived rather than reconciled; and discrimination is being legitimised by policies and pronouncements.”

In this context, he cited the Christchurch massacre of March 15, 2019 and slaughter of Muslims in other region 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 UN Alliance of Civilisation, as his Special Envoy on Islamophobia.

“We call for the early approval of the financial resources required to enable the secretary-general and his special envoy to implement the provisions of this General Assembly resolution on combating Islamophobia.”

The OIC, he added, looks forward to working with the secretary-general and his special envoy to develop a plan of action to combat Islamophobia.

Such a plan of action could include: a definition of Islamophobia and its manifestations, a mechanism to monitor and compile acts of Islamophobia, a template for national legislation criminalising acts of Islamophobia, an accountability mechanism as well as media and education programmes to counter Islamophobia and propagate tolerance and harmony in societies.

Ambassador Akram also expressed appreciation for the efforts of some western countries — including Sweden and Denmark — which have enacted laws to address Islamophobia — including criminalisation of acts of desecration of the Holy Quran, and to ensure that freedom of expression is not misused to propagate hate and intolerance.

He noted that Canada has appointed a special representative to combat Islamophobia, while the United States launched a national strategy against anti-Muslim hate. Australia also appointed a special envoy to promote interfaith dialogue.

“We urge other nations to follow suit,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ambassador said the UN Secretary General will soon appoint a special envoy to lead efforts towards combating Islamophobia.

In his message on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Ambassador Akram said Pakistan and the OIC countries will work with the secretary-general and his special envoy to develop a concrete plan of action to combat Islamophobia.