The global phenomenon of Islamophobia is on the rise as Islamophobia has taken many forms of discrimination, prejudice, and violence against Muslims worldwide. Although this phenomenon corrodes the principles of equality and of human dignity and endangers social cohesion as well as global peace. 15 March 2022 was marked by the UN General Assembly in adopting a resolution designating 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

The country has encouraged legal, diplomatic and policy measures to confront hate speech, religious discrimination and violence against Muslims

This goes to show that Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy and leadership at the world level has led to its designation of 15 March as an official UN day to combat Islamophobia. Pakistan has time and again expressed concern at the wave of Islamophobia at international fora as being the voice of the Muslim world. The country has encouraged legal, diplomatic and policy measures to confront hate speech, religious discrimination and violence against Muslims. Along with other organizations, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on the world to unite to end religious persecution and to combat this new manifestation of xenophobia.

The desire to combat Islamophobia is essential in Pakistan’s endeavors to safeguard the rights of Muslim minorities and champion interfaith harmony. The country has noted that Muslims are being persecuted all around the world and in various parts of the world including the systematic discrimination and violence against Muslims in India, Islamophobic attacks in the western world and restrictions on religious freedoms in the conflict zones. Pakistan’s initiative in raising these issues at such level has been instrumental in ensuring that the voices of the marginalized Muslim communities are heard, and the concerns prioritized.

Pakistan has always asked for a balanced approach that considers one’s religious sensibilities and, at the same time, meets the criteria of freedom of speech

Pakistan’s diplomatic push has been built around its rebuttal of Western double standards on free speech, specifically the blasphemy issue and the abuse of the freedom of expression in a way that is directed at the Muslim beliefs. Freedom of expression being a basic human right, it shall never be weaponized to perpetuate hate speech or to take religious communities as victim of violence.

Pakistan has always asked for a balanced approach that considers one’s religious sensibilities and, at the same time, meets the criteria of freedom of speech. This position has found many countries resounding to its position and backing the UN resolution on fight against Islamophobia.

15 March is acknowledged to be the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, not as it is just symbolic, but as a call to the international community to act on it. Resolution is based on the call on member states to take concrete legal and policy measures to confront anti Muslim bigotry, discrimination and violence.

However, it indicates the need of ongoing development of the interfaith dialogue, education of masses about the risks of Islamophobia and to create a more tolerant community. By institutionalizing this day and by recognizing objects for dialogue and action against religious hate this country [Pakistan] has set an example for intensified global and sustained dialogue and action on the issue.

The fact that this resolution was adopted in Pakistan’s favor is testimony of its strong and demonstrated foreign policy and diplomatic acumen

The fact that this resolution was adopted in Pakistan’s favor is testimony of its strong and demonstrated foreign policy and diplomatic acumen. Additionally, the country has leveraged its OIC membership along with the UN for issues of the rights of Muslims and for remaining a ball in the game of the global agenda of fighting Islamophobia. Likewise, Pakistan continues to play its part as a bridge between the Muslim world and the rest of the world, as it has done before.

Even more importance lies to this resolution outside of the Muslim World. Muslims themselves need to remember that Islamophobia is just as much their problem as the rest of the world’s. The rise of far-right extremism, xenophobia and religious intolerance in different parts of the world has made the problem worse and has called the international community to gang up in the fight against this menace.

The UN efforts of passing a resolution for combating Islamophobia is a step, however, much more needs to be done to eliminate the root of such causes and the methods by which it thinks Muslim world should be more inclusive and tolerant.Aside from its diplomacy, over the years, Pakistan has also been fighting the battle against Islamophobia and religious intolerance on the domestic level.

This relates to faith rights of the minorities to national policies and stimulates interfaith harmony and the fight against hate speech. In view of this, these efforts are consistent with Pakistani vision of a society wherein all citizens could live with dignity and respect, with no consideration of their faith.

This day’s purpose is to promote knowledge as well as bridging gaps between different communities

The day serves as a reminder to the global community, to reflect on the situation of Muslims and affirm its position against religious discrimination and hate. This day’s purpose is to promote knowledge as well as bridging gaps between different communities. Therefore, it is also a day to celebrate the steadfastness and efforts of Muslims everywhere, who, despite everything they have had to endure, have devoted themselves to peace, justice and equality.

Today, it is fitting that some of us are taking time to also recognize just how far we need to go to end the fight against Islamophobia. Therefore, we must remain vigilant and proactive as the international community on the same issue. Governments, Organization of civil society and the individual must come together to oppose stereotypes, fight hate speech and foster religious tolerance. Tools of the trade in this bid are education and awareness raising—so myths may be debunked, prejudices laid to rest and respect for all sides, mutual and genuine, given its proper place.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia