The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to declare March 15 as Wo...
The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to declare March 15 as World Anti-Islamophobia Day.
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| Pakistani envoy Munira Karam presented the resolution; Photo: APP |
The UN General Assembly unanimously approved March 15 as World Anti-Islamophobia Day, with the aim of promoting a culture of tolerance and peace globally, according to the official news agency APP.
Read more: OIC reiterates support for Kashmir's sovereignty, tackling Islamophobia
According to the report, the resolution was tabled with the support of 57 OIC member states as well as eight other countries, including China and Russia.
The resolution strongly disapproves of all forms of violence against people on the basis of religion or belief and such acts in places of worship, including places of worship and shrines, and is a violation of international law.
Munir Akram, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said "Islamophobia is a reality" and 193 members of the General Assembly pointed out that the phenomenon was on the rise and needed to be addressed.
The report said that today's resolution calls on all member states, relevant UN agencies, other regional and international organizations, civil society, the private sector and religious organizations to observe the day in an appropriate global manner.
After the resolution was passed unanimously, many countries appreciated the document but India, France and the European Union expressed reservations and said that there is religious intolerance all over the world but only Islam was presented separately. And others have been excluded.
Indian Ambassador TS Trimurti complained that other religions, including anti-Hindu phobia, were not included in the resolution.
Read also: Strong condemnation of 'Islamophobia campaign' under the guise of Pakistan's freedom of expression
Pakistani Ambassador Munir Akram in his opening remarks said that the consequences of Islamophobia are hate speech, discrimination and crimes against Muslims and is spreading in many parts of the world.
He said that acts such as discrimination, hostility and violence against Muslims and communities are the worst violation of their human rights and their religious freedom and beliefs and as a result severe pain is being felt in the Islamic world.
Munira Karam also referred to the UN Special Representative for Religious Freedom's report on fears and violence against Muslims following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"In such an atmosphere of division, fear and mistrust, Muslims often feel insulted, negative thinking and shame, and the actions of a minority as a whole are held accountable by force," he said.
The Pakistani ambassador said that Islamophobia is now dangerous in both rapid and uncontrollable forms and that xenophobia, negative identities and dividing Muslims through traditional thinking is also racism.
Read more: UN passes resolution against Islamophobia, says PM
He said there was a "hate crime" against Muslims both offline and online, and that discrimination was on the rise in all documentary fields, including education, citizenship, immigration, employment, housing and health.
Explaining the position of OIC, Monira Karam said that the resolution has the following objectives:
1) Raising international awareness about growing Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred.
2) To send a clear message that the world is against all forms of racism, discrimination, xenophobia, negative traditional thinking and insults.
3) To promote tolerance, coexistence and interfaith and cultural tolerance among all religions, sects and nations.
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4) Celebrating this day is to show solidarity with all humanity, respect human dignity and reaffirm the common interests for unity in diversity.
Munirakram told the General Assembly that the purpose of celebrating this day was to unite and not to divide.
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