Islamabad: Pakistan has joined members of the Organisation of IslamicCooperation (OIC) in observing the first ever ‘International Day to CombatIslamophobia’.
According to a statement issued by Foreign Office, Pakistan presented aResolution to designate March 15 as the ‘International Day to CombatIslamophobia’ at the 47th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers(CFM), held in Niamey, Niger, in November 2020.
“The OIC’s unanimous support for the designation of this Day is areflection of the sentiments of billions of Muslims around the world,” theFO stated.
“The scourge of Islamophobia, fuelled by populism, hate speech, and lack ofknowledge and disinformation, is causing unimaginable suffering to Muslimminorities around the world,” the statement read adding,
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“The statement mentioned that Islamophobia has taken many forms includinginter alia negative profiling, mob lynchings by cow vigilantes,discriminatory laws, attacks on women for wearing hijabs, ban on minarets,negative propaganda and disinformation campaigns, manifestos of far-rightparties, deliberate vandalism of Islamic symbols and holy sites, andattempts to link and equate Islam with terrorism. Such acts imperil ourshared aspirations for a peaceful world and harmonious future for all.”
The Foreign Office said that Pakistan always supported and continues tolead international efforts for building bridges between cultures andcivilizations. “Through the observance of this Day, we want to build betterunderstanding of Islam and Islamic precepts. We intend to send a message ofinternational solidarity and cooperation. We remain determined to promotevalues of peaceful co-existence as well as inter-faith and culturalharmony,” it highlighted
