At UN, Pakistan calls for global action to defeat 'virulent' Islamophobia

New York (Web Desk): Pakistan has called for stronger global action to tackle Islamophobia, describing it as one of the “most virulent forms of hate speech and stressing the need to challenge attitudes that encourage violence and discrimination against other people.

“As a firm defender of human dignity, equality and freedom, Pakistan shall continue its engagement with the member states and UN to continue our fight against hate speech-for posterity, our cherished values and for our civilization,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told a global conference on promoting interreligious and cultural dialogue held at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday.

He said hate speech poses a direct threat to the values that bind societies together, weakening social cohesion, undermining human dignity and stripping entire communities of their humanity.

“Digital revolution has accentuated threats posed by this menace: online platforms amplify hatred, peddle disinformation, and provoke violence against fellow humans, particularly vulnerable communities.”

The event was jointly convened by Morocco, the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (UNOSAPG), and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). Representatives from UN member states, international organizations, UN bodies, political circles, religious communities, faith-based groups, media organizations, civil society and other stakeholders attended the gathering.

In his opening address, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged governments, technology firms and civil society groups to work together to curb the spread of hate speech, warning that “its toxic message is spreading fast and striking deep”.

He further warned that “In its worst forms, hate speech incites violence, drives conflict, and contributes to the perpetration of atrocity crimes – including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing,”

During his address, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad raised concerns over the growing presence of hateful rhetoric worldwide, saying it had increasingly become part of mainstream discussions.

Asim Iftikhar noted that identity was being exploited to create divisions, vulnerable groups were facing greater marginalization and hate-related crimes were becoming normalized.

The Pakistani envoy said that Islamophobia was reflected through violence against Muslims, attacks on their identity and religious symbols, the desecration of mosques and restrictions affecting religious freedoms.

He added that in certain areas, Islamophobia had become intertwined with influential local structures and vested interests, turning prejudice into a source of financial gain.

Pakistan also stressed the importance of putting relevant UN General Assembly resolutions into practice, along with the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. The country further called for sincere and meaningful engagement between different religions and cultures.

“It is the only panacea to defeat the flawed mindset which incites violence and discrimination against fellow humans,” the Pakistani envoy said.