Muslims welcome appointment of UN Islamophobia envoy

JEDDAH: The General Secretariat of the Muslim World League has applauded the adoption of a resolution to combat Islamophobia and the appointment of a special UN envoy concerned with the issue. The Secretary-General of the association, Dr. Mohammad Al-Eissa, said in a press statement that the world is witnessing a worrying escalation of hate speech, its slogans, and its methods, threatening world peace and the harmony of its national societies.

He called for a remedial response to this discourse through effective national and international legislation that criminalizes it and classifies it as a threat to national and international stability. He affirmed that Islam is the religion of mercy, tolerance, justice, and peace, adding that Islam is not represented by those who deviate from its principles and values. Al-Eissa reiterated the support of the Muslim World League for combating extremist ideas and encouraging the values of peace, coexistence, and mutual respect between followers of religions and civilizations.

Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), United Nations Office in Geneva, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights co-organized a conference on Friday to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. In his message to the event, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Taha regretted that there are mounting racial attacks based on Islamophobia that are taking place right under the noses of many countries, citing the burning of copies of the Holy Quran and attacks on holy sites. However, the OIC chief commended the conference as a significant step towards fighting hatred against Islam and promoting peaceful coexistence among religions, cultures, and peoples.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk deplored systematic aggressions and indiscriminate arrests against Muslims and other minorities in many countries, saying that millions of people are still suffering from hate crimes. For her part, Chief of the United Nations Office in Geneva Tatiana Valovaya underlined that her organization commits itself to the principles of promoting tolerance and peace and respecting human rights and religions.

The commemoration came in the framework of the implementation of UNGA resolution 76/254 calling for strengthened international efforts to foster a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace based on respect for human rights and the diversity of religions and beliefs. The second edition of this International Day aims to encourage all stakeholders to pursue their efforts in combating religious intolerance, notably Islamophobia, by implementing the existing instruments. — KUNA