Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday congratulated the Muslim world after the United Nations unanimously adopted the landmark resolution moved by Pakistan on behalf of OIC and designated March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
In a tweet, PM Khan said it was a huge achievement as “our voice against the rising tide of Islamophobia has been heard”.
“Today UN has finally recognized the grave challenge confronting the world: of Islamophobia, respect for religious symbols and practices and of curtailing systematic hate speech and discrimination against Muslims,” the premier said in another tweet, adding that the “Next challenge is to ensure implementation of this landmark resolution.”
UN General Assembly setting a day to combat Islamophobia means the day will now be an annual reminder that it is a high time to contest and eradicate Islamophobia from across the globe.
The Resolution
Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram on Tuesday moved the resolution in the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The resolution was co-sponsored by the 55 mainly Muslim countries and was adopted unanimously by the 193-member international body.
The resolution urges all member countries, UN bodies, international and regional organizations, civil society, the private sector, and faith-based organizations “to organize and support various high-visibility events aimed at effectively increasing awareness of all levels about curbing Islamophobia”, and to observe the new International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Expressing deep concern at “the overall rise in instances of discrimination, intolerance and violence, it emphasized the right to freedom of religion and belief, recalling the 1981 resolution which called for “the elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief”.
The resolution was moved on the third anniversary of the New Zealand massacre where a right-wing extremist had entered two mosques in Christchurch, killing 51 Muslims and injuring 40 others.
FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi lauds Imran Khan
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi lauded Imran Khan for successfully raising the issue of Islamophobia at the United Nations in his maiden address to the UNGA in 2019.
In his message pertaining to the declaration of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, the Foreign Minister said the resolution reflects the sentiments of more than 1.5 billion Muslims all around the world. “It is a matter of great satisfaction and pride for Pakistan to have steered this initiative under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Imran Khan,” said FM Qureshi.