United Nations (Agencies): The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has adopted a resolution strongly condemning continuing violence and acts of terrorism targeting individuals belonging to religious minorities, based on or in the name of religion or belief.
According to Radio Pakistan, the resolution, presented by Turkey with Pakistan’s support in wake of Christchurch terror attacks was adopted without a vote.
Pakistan’s permanent representative Maleeha Lodhi speaking on the occasion said that increasing anti-Islam sentiments are threatening world peace.
She said Pakistan always supported all efforts to bring the nations and religions closer.
After the passage of the resolution that decried the recent Islamophobic terrorist attack in New Zealand, Pakistani Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi highlighted the rise of extreme nationalistic and populist ideologies in the West and also in Pakistan’s neighbourhood. That trend, she said in an obvious swipe at India’s Hindutva ideology, was giving rise to “bigotry, intolerance, anti-Muslim hatred and xenophobia.”
Speaking in the UN General Assembly in the special session called for the adoption of the resolution titled Elimination of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and other related intolerances, which was moved by Turkey and Pakistan was one of its cosponsors pic.twitter.com/dpdm0UWmtA
— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) April 2, 2019
Malisha said that Pervasive Islamophobia is a global phenomenon and calls for a global response: collaborative, coherent and committed action against incidents that fuel, funnel and fortify this narrative against Islam and Muslims. She said Islamophobia and racism go hand in hand.
Ambassador Lodhi, noting that nine victims of the Christchurch attack hailed from Pakistan, said that profiling and stigmatizing people from one country leads to drastic consequences.
Speaking in UNGeneral Assembly in the session that earlier adopted the resolution ‘ Countering Terrorism and other Acts of violence based on religion and and belief ‘. This was moved by Turkey and Pakistan was one of its cosponsors. Earlier tweet referred to title of agenda item pic.twitter.com/Sp4LPQcioH
— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) April 2, 2019
She said that we must strengthen efforts to foster a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of tolerance, dialogue and peace at all levels. She also emphasised respect for human rights and diversity as well as space for diverse voices, religions, worldviews and faith traditions.
