Islamophobia poses serious threat to global peace: Maleeha

NEW YORK: Against the backdrop of a terror attack on two Christchurch mosques in New Zealand, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution titled “Countering terrorism and other acts of violence based on religious and belief.”

It strongly condemned continuing violence and acts of terrorism targeting individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities, based on religion or belief.

The resolution came during a meeting convened in the wake of the horrific mosques attack, in which 50 people were killed and 50 others injured in March.

The resolution proposed by Turkey and co-sponsored by Pakistan urged all countries to protect and promote freedom of religion and belief and to foster a domestic environment of religious tolerance, peace and respect.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi said Islamophobia posed a serious threat to global peace.

Coverage of UNGA ‘s adoption of the resolution “Combating terrorism and other acts of violence based on religion or belief” , moved by Turkey and cosponsored by Pakistan as a member of the core of countries that helped support this initiative @Turkey_UN pic.twitter.com/7GujAQa2yA

— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) April 3, 2019

“We must stand united against those who seek to divide us by inciting violence, stereotyping people on the grounds of belief and using hate speech,” she said, urging efforts to foster global dialogue for promotion of culture of tolerance.

Lodhi said the resolution is a strong manifestation of a shared commitment to stand united against racial and religious hatred, adding the New Zealand attacks cannot be seen in isolation as it was the latest manifestation of growing phenomenon rooted in hate, bigotry, racism and extremist ideology and white supremacy.