UAE FORUM TO PROTECT MUSLIM MINORITIES
abu dhabi — The UAE has announced the launch of a global committee that will serve as an “incubator” and as a voice for the millions of Muslim minorities around the world who face discrimination.
The International Muslim Minorities Congress (IMMC), based in Abu Dhabi, will work as an institution that allows leaders from the Middle East and from the West to set up laws and regulations that will help defend the rights of Muslim minorities.
Organised under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, the UAE is also set to hold the very first conference on May 8-9, which will focus on challenging issues that minorities are currently facing around the world today.
“This organisation will help bridge the gap between Muslim minorities and the governments,” Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the supreme committee of the IMMC, told Khaleej Times on Monday.
We feel the responsibility that our religion has been kidnapped from us and has been presented to the world in a wrong way Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the supreme committee of the IMMC
“There are so many problems and challenges, but we want to approach these challenges in a different way. We are looking for solutions that fix the gap, which will be a win-win for both sides,” he added.
He said the UAE will not interfere in other governments’ rules and regulations, but will rather work as a partner that allows various governments to come to solutions of peace and security.
“We are not here creating this platform to criticise and say: ‘Why does this government not do this or that.’ We want to speak a different language, a language that bridges the gap and brings all stakeholders together,” he told Khaleej Times.
More than 400 participants from 140 countries will unite in the Capital next month to address issues concerning Muslim minorities.
Dr Al Nuaimi pointed out that the conference will not only help support Muslim minorities to cohesively integrate into their societies, but will also shed the true light on the meaning of Islam, as well as the concerning rise of Islamophobia.
“In the UAE, we feel the responsibility that our religion has been kidnapped from us and has been presented to the world in a wrong way. And because of these ideologies around the world, we have been suffering.”
Dr Al Nuaimi stressed that the members of the minorities have become victims of political usage, to simply serve political agendas.
“The minorities must achieve integration in their communities, it’s not a choice, it’s a necessity of life. For example, a Muslim living in Germany needs to live within the laws of the country and be a citizen of the country.”
He highlighted that the 140 countries participating will thus come to various conclusions as to what strategies and laws must be adopted.
“We invited governments to listen to these minorities and they believe the congress will be a solution to the problems they are facing. They are welcoming this initiative because they want to achieve security and peace.”
Dr Mohamed Bechari, vicechairman of the IMMC Higher Committee, said the platform will also share some of the most severe experiences of Muslim minorities.
He also stressed on the need of granted citizenship, which millions of Muslims around the world are yet to receive, despite doing the best they can to integrate into societies.
“The founding of this committee thus stresses on the rights of these minorities, according to the international human rights.”
He added that this is a crucial political event to help Muslim minorities practise their religion freely.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com