Foreign office announced that Pakistan has joined members of the organizations of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in observing for the first time the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Pakistan for joining OIC said, “Marking this occasion the OIC Group will hold a high level event in New York on 17th March, 2021.” Foreign Office Spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said in a statement that, “Prime Minister Imran Khan has been the leading international voice in raising awareness on the grave consequences of rising systematic Islamophobia and in promoting inter-faith harmony,”
“In line with his vision Pakistan presented a resolution to designate 15th March as the ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’ at the 47th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) held in Niamey, Niger, on 27-28 November, 2020”.
“Today, joins members of the OIC in observing for the first time the ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia.’ Marking this occasion, the OIC Group will hold a High-Level Event in New York on 17 March 2021,” it said.
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The Ministry further said, “Prime Minister Imran Khan has been the leading international voice in raising awareness on the grave consequences of rising systematic Islamophobia and in promoting inter-faith harmony,”
He added that the scourge of Islamophobia, fueled by populism, lack of knowledge and disinformation, and hate speech is causing indescribable suffering to Muslim minorities around the world.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry further said, “Through the observance of this Day, we want to build better understanding of Islam and Islamic precepts. We intend to send a message of international solidarity and cooperation. We remain determined to promote values of peaceful coexistence as well as inter-faith and cultural harmony,”
However, last year, the OIC in its report presented at the Foreign Ministers meeting in Niger said that the spread of islamophobia is alarming as it is taking the shape of a new form of racism characterized by racial intolerance, negative profiling, and stereotyping of Muslims.
