UN’s First International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Must raise your voices for those who are ignored and forgotten.
United nation secretary, Gen Deeral Antonio Guterres in his message said that the day is a call for action to stamp out the poison of anti-Muslim hatred.
This day issue of burning the Quran in the west and the human rights violations of China against Muslims at large must be highlighted. And spread awareness about the original concept of Islam.
Islamophobia
Islamophobia is a term that directs to the fear or hatred of Islam and Muslims.
It can exemplify in various forms, from vocal harassment and intolerance to physical brutality and hate crimes.
Today is the first international day against Islamophobia.
Intention of this day is to raise awareness about the harmful consequence of Islamophobia and to promote tolerance.
The roots of Islamophobia can be traced back to the events of 9/11, which was the rise of negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims in the media of the world and the public.
Islamophobia become a very critical issue, with Muslims facing discrimination in almost all aspects of their lives.
For example,
Muslim women wearing hijabs may be subjected to discrimination in employment or denied access to public services. Muslim children experienced bullying and harassment at school.
A way to combat Islamophobia is through education.
learning about Islam and Muslim cultures, people can gain a better awareness of the religion and dispel any misconceptions they may have. This can be achieved through initiatives such as cultural exchanges, interfaith dialogues, and educational programs.
Secondly, social activities can play a key role in Islamophobia.
This can involve lobbying for policies that protect the rights of Muslims, subsidizing institutions that work to combat Islamophobia, and speaking out against hate speech and intolerance.
Role of Pakistan in the United Nations
Pakistan has played an important role in raising the issue of Islamophobia at the United Nations (UN). The country has been at the forefront of efforts to combat discrimination and intolerance towards Muslims around the world.
In 2019, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, where he spoke about the rise of Islamophobia and the need for the international community to take action to address it.
He urged world leaders to take concrete actions to address this issue, including the commission of policies to prevent hate speech and discrimination against Muslims.
In addition to addressing the UN General Assembly, Pakistan has also been active in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
In September 2020, Pakistan introduced a resolution at the UNHRC on combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization of and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons based on religion or belief.
Pakistan’s efforts to raise awareness about Islamophobia at the UN have been widely appreciated by the international community.
The country has received support from other Muslim-majority nations, as well as from several Western countries.
Through its efforts, the country has been able to bring attention to the rise of discrimination and intolerance towards Muslims around the world.
