The statement follows the unanimous adoption of an Assembly decision ultimate 12 months that proclaimed 15 March because the International Day, calling for worldwide talk that promotes tolerance, peace and appreciate for human rights and non secular diversity.
As the UN Secretary-General stated, the almost billion Muslims worldwide – who come from all corners of the planet – “mirror humanity in all its staggering diversity”. Yet, they regularly face bigotry and prejudice sincerely due to their faith.
Furthermore, Muslim girls also can suffer “triple discrimination” due to their gender, ethnicity, and faith.
Islamophobia `epidemic`
The high-degree occasion changed into co-convened with the aid of using Pakistan, whose Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, underlined that Islam is a faith of peace, tolerance and pluralism.
Although Islamophobia isn’t new, he stated it’s miles “a unhappy truth of our times” this is best growing and spreading.
“Since the tragedy of 9/11, animosity and institutional suspicion of Muslims and Islam internationally have best escalated to epidemic proportions. A narrative has been evolved and peddled which pals Muslim groups and their faith with violence and danger,” stated Mr. Zardari, who’s additionally Chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers.
“This Islamophobic narrative isn’t simply restricted to extremist, marginal propaganda, however unfortunately has located popularity with the aid of using sections of mainstream media, academia, policymakers and nation machinery,” he added.
Everyone has a role
The President of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, mentioned that Islamophobia is rooted in xenophobia, or the concern of strangers, that is pondered in discriminatory practices, journey bans, hate speech, bullying and focused on of different human beings.
He entreated nations to uphold freedom of faith or belief, that is assured beneathneath the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“All folks convey a obligation to project Islamophobia or any comparable phenomenon, to name out injustice and condemn discrimination primarily based totally on faith or belief – or the dearth of them,” he added.
Mr. Kőrösi stated training is prime to getting to know why those phobias exist, and it could be “transformative” in converting how human beings recognize every another.
Hatred at the rise
The developing hate that Muslims face isn’t an remoted development, UN Secretary-General António Guterres informed attendees.
“It is an inexorable a part of the resurgence of ethno-nationalism, neo-Nazi white supremacist ideologies, and violence focused on prone populations inclusive of Muslims, Jews, a few minority Christian groups and others,” he stated.
“Discrimination diminishes us all. And it’s miles incumbent on everybody to rise up in opposition to it. We need to in no way be bystanders to bigotry.”
Stressing that “we need to beef up our defenses”, Mr. Guterres highlighted UN measures which include a Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites. He additionally referred to as for ramping up political, cultural, and monetary investments in social cohesion.
Curb on line bigotry
“And we need to confront bigotry anyplace and every time it rears its unsightly head. This consists of running to address the dislike that spreads like wildfire throughout the internet,” he added.
To this end, the UN is running with governments, regulators, generation businesses and the media “to installation guardrails, and put in force them.”
Compassion and solidarity
Other guidelines already released consist of a Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, and the Our Common Agenda report, which outlines a framework for a extra inclusive and secure “virtual future” for all human beings.
The Secretary-General additionally expressed gratitude to non secular leaders internationally who’ve united to sell talk and interfaith harmony.
He defined the 2019 statement on `Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together` – co-authored with the aid of using His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb – as “a version for compassion and human solidarity.”