DDHK.ORG - The United Nations (UN) has designated March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia (fear of Islam). The determination was based on a resolution proposed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Pakistan, Arab News reported, Tuesday (15/3/2022), and reported by Berita Satu.
The resolution was adopted two years since a far-right extremist killed more than 50 Muslims in New Zealand terror attacks on two mosques. The day of the incident was later designated as an annual commemoration of the need to fight Islamophobia.
The resolution was introduced on Tuesday by Pakistan's ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, on behalf of the OIC. “Islamophobia is a reality. Its manifestation is hate speech, discrimination and violence against Muslims, proliferating in other parts of the world," he said.
“Such acts of discrimination, hostility and violence against Muslim individuals and communities constitute a grave violation of their human rights and violate their freedom of religion and belief. Also, causing great suffering in the Islamic world," Akram said.
Akram cited the words of the UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, as saying: “Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, institutional suspicion and fear of Muslims and those deemed to be Muslims have risen to epidemic proportions.”
According to Akram, women and girls often find themselves on the sharp edge of this hatred. "The gender aspect of Islamophobia is also increasingly prominent, with girls and women being targeted because of the way they dress and the common perception that Muslim women are oppressed and should therefore be liberated," she said.
Akram warned that Islamophobia is a "under-understood" phenomenon that often intersects with anti-immigrant and anti-refugee sentiments. Therefore, it is important to promote information about this disturbing global trend that can reach the pinnacle of governance in many parts of the world.
The adoption of the resolution follows years of discussion about the need for an international day to combat Islamophobia, which began in Makkah in 2019 after the mosque attacks in New Zealand. [DDHKNews]
