Pakistan urges international action to address Islamophobia

ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on the global community to not only denounce Islamophobia but also tackle the underlying factors that enable its persistence.

In a statement, Dar highlighted Pakistan's ongoing collaboration with member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. He said these efforts are focused on developing a UN Plan of Action that aims to establish a structured framework for understanding, preventing, and eradicating Islamophobia.

Foreign Minister Dar noted that Pakistan played a significant role in the adoption of a recent UN General Assembly resolution designed to strengthen international efforts against anti-Muslim bigotry. He emphasized the need for the world to move beyond condemnation and take concrete steps to address the structural conditions that allow Islamophobia to flourish.

Dar's remarks come at a time when, according to reports, anti-Muslim rhetoric has been on the rise in Western countries, particularly in the United States, where some Republican lawmakers have expressed problematic views regarding Muslims.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party credited its founder, Imran Khan, with bringing the issue of Islamophobia to the forefront of international forums. The party stated that Khan's efforts played a key role in raising global awareness about the challenges faced by Muslims worldwide.

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia was established to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect among different cultures and religions. Pakistan has consistently advocated for stronger international mechanisms to counter discrimination and violence against Muslims, both at home and abroad.