Resolution against Islamophobia
AS the tide of Islamophobia swept across the globe, swift actions were needed to stem the tide.
In this context, the UNGA on 15 March 2022 adopted by consensus a resolution introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC that proclaims 15 March as International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Pakistan’s position on the prevention of Islamophobia at the United Nations is not only welcome, but also reassuring that the international community has not only heard the voice of Pakistan against the growing wave of Islamophobia but has also supported it.
It is clear that prejudice and hostility towards Muslims and the Last Prophet (M-SAWW) is not hidden from anyone in the European world.
However, the adoption of a resolution by the UN to observe March 15 International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The acceptance indicates that the problems facing Muslims around the world are beginning to be felt sooner or later, as evidenced by recent statements by Russian President Putin and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against Islamophobia.
It is said that the thinking of the Western leaders is changing, accompanying the efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan with the leaders of Islamic countries cannot be ignored in this which has led to the passage of a resolution in the UN General Assembly.
The resolution strongly condemns all forms of violence against people on the basis of religion or belief and attacks on places of worship, shrines and other religious places in violation of international law.
All member countries, relevant UN agencies, other regional and international organizations are invited to observe this day globally.
On this occasion, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Munir Akram said that “Islamophobiais a reality.
Its consequences are hate speech, discrimination and crimes against Muslims and it is spreading rapidly in many regions of the world.
The global community must work together to prevent it.”India has also started attacking the religious and cultural identity of Muslims.
Recently, a court in Karnataka banned hijab, even though Muslim women have been setting up veils in India for over a thousand years.
Muslims are being killed on streets in India, which is why the Indian envoy expressed reservations over the resolution on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia aimed at defending the government’s policy of patronizing hate speech against Muslims in his country.
While this situation deserves the immediate attention of the international community, it is also the responsibility of Islamic countries to spread the message of Islam and peace throughout the world and to tell the United Nations how a religion that declares the unjustified killing of a human being the murder of all humanity can lead to the spread of extremism?
Only the propagation of Islam’s pacifism can take the West out of the fear of Islamophobia, but it must be made clear that hatred and prejudice against Muslims cannot lead to progress because sooner or later the volcano of prejudice erupts and in its wake everything burns to dust.
Unless measures are taken to eradicate Islamophobia without distinction, the adoption of the resolution to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia will not make much difference.
So it is not enough for the Islamic world to be gratified with it. All Muslim countries must use all means including personal and diplomatic, to urge the United Nations to oblige its member states to ensure the implementation of this resolution in order to ensure the protection of the Prophet’s honour and effectively put a stop to Islamophobia.
—The writer is a regular columnist, based in Lahore.
