(Tharaka Basnayaka / Associated Press)
The United Nations has adopted a resolution proposed by Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to designate March 15 the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The resolution was adopted two years to the day since a right-wing white militant murdered over 50 Muslims in New Zealand on two mosques.
“Islamophobia is a reality. Its manifestations — hate speech, discrimination, and violence against Muslims — are proliferating in several parts of the world,” said Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram who introduced the resolution.
Akram said: “Such acts of discrimination, hostility, and violence towards Muslim individuals and communities constitute grave violations of their human rights and violate their freedom of religion and belief. They also cause great anguish within the Islamic world.”
Akram also talked about the gender aspect of Islamophobia. He says: “The gender aspect of Islamophobia is also gaining prominence, with girls and women being targeted due to mode of their dress and the general notion that Muslim women are oppressed and thus must be liberated.”
According to him, Islamophobia is a “poorly understood” phenomenon that often intersects with the anti-immigrant and the anti-refugee sentiment.
It is “essential” to promote information about this “disturbing global trend” that can reach the very top of governments in many parts of the world, Akram said.
He also cited the words of the UN’s special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, who said: “Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, institutional suspicion and fear of Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim has escalated to epidemic proportions.”
“I want to congratulate the Muslim Ummah today as our voice against the rising tide of Islamophobia has been heard & the UN has adopted a landmark resolution introduced by Pakistan, on behalf of OIC, designating 15 March as International Day to Combat Islamophobia,” said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan responding to the resolution.
Khan said, “Today UN has finally recognised the grave challenge confronting the world: of Islamophobia, respect for religious symbols & practices & of curtailing systematic hate speech & discrimination against Muslims. Next challenge is to ensure implementation of this landmark resolution.”
