Rising Islamophobia In The West, A Major Concern For Pakistan
Monday, April 18th, 2016 3:02:30 by modousarr
Despite an increase in Islamophobia in the West, Pakistan has expressed their concern for what it terms as a “sharp rise in hate speech, discriminatory acts and social hostility against Muslims”, especially in countries where they are a minority.
In a speech at a gathering of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Istanbul, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz stated “We are also witnessing an increase in instances of physical and psychological violence against Muslims and their businesses and places of worship. Muslim minorities are being alienated and marginalized. Many of them live in fear,”
He mentioned the various issues afflicting Muslim countries, most especially those dealing with disunity, terrorism and extremism. He added that in these trying times, love and cordialness of the Ummah in necessary more than any other time in our 1,400 years’ long history.
“We must rekindle the spirit of brotherhood and one community that has characterized the Muslim people, for justice and peace, especially in Palestine and Afghanistan.”
He reinforced the fact that solving and handling issues through diplomacy and peaceful negotiations, was not only religiously required but is, furthermore, compulsory in politics in order to safeguard peace and security amongst our people.
Aziz asked for support from any member state in the OIC who is willing and able to end differences between brotherly countries.
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif acted in this spirit when he visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Islamic Republic of Iran in January 2016. We are thankful for the cooperation we received from our brothers,” he told the conference.
Today, terrorism and violent extremism pose a serious threat to international peace and security. The menace has inflicted immeasurable human and economic losses, he said. “Pakistan has always supported that a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy is needed to tackle this global problem.”
He voiced out the necessity for a deep and a shared understanding and deeper dialogue between countries and cultures in order to deal with these challenges.
The 57-member meeting of the OIC came at a time of conflict in many Muslim countries, with turmoil in Syria and Yemen including Turkey who is bloodied by militant violence.
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