Pakistan slams India at UN for 'rising Islamophobia', urges action against hate crimes

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan on Monday strongly criticised India for failing to condemn growing anti-Muslim hatred and called on New Delhi to take concrete action against those involved in acts such as mob lynchings and the destruction of mosques.

Speaking at a high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Pakistan’s permanent representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said India had “the distinction of being the world’s biggest Islamophobic state,” alleging systemic discrimination against Muslims and other minorities.

The event, convened by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation mission to the UN, brought together global leaders to address rising religious intolerance.

Among the speakers were UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UNGA President Annalena Baerbock, Special Envoy Miguel Ángel Moratinos, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha and Türkiye’s Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz.

India’s envoy Parvathaneni Harish, in his remarks, condemned violence in the name of religion but did not specifically address Islamophobia. He accused Pakistan of misrepresenting facts and politicising the issue through the OIC.

In response, Ambassador Ahmad said India had failed to address concerns about the treatment of minorities and instead attempted to deflect criticism. He alleged that Islamophobia in India was not limited to fringe elements but was enabled at the state level.

Citing the OIC’s report on Islamophobia, he pointed to incidents including restrictions on Friday prayers in Srinagar during Ramazan, mob violence, and the demolition of mosques.

Ahmad urged India to distance itself from such actions and ensure accountability, stressing that meaningful progress would be judged by “visible action, not rhetoric”.

Speaking as chair of the OIC Core Group on Combatting Islamophobia, he emphasised that no individual should face discrimination based on faith and called for stronger legal protections, public awareness, and regulation of digital platforms to counter hate speech.

He also highlighted the anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attacks, noting the global impact of religious hatred.

Addressing the gathering, UN chief António Guterres urged nations to unite against rising anti-Muslim sentiment and reject “narratives of fear and exclusion”. He warned that millions of Muslims worldwide continue to face discrimination, marginalisation, and profiling.

Calling for urgent global action, Guterres stressed the need to uphold equality, human rights, and dignity, particularly as Muslims around the world approach the end of the holy month of Ramazan.