The world has to understand Muslims’ feelings regarding Islam: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for effective measures to counter hate speech and Islamophobia.

He was speaking at a high level roundtable discussion on “Countering Hate Speech” jointly organized by Pakistan and Turkey at UN Headquarters in New York today (Wednesday).

Noting the growing incidence of discrimination and violence based on religion and belief, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of addressing both the drivers and consequences of these phenomena.

He cautioned against attempts to denigrate revered personalities and scriptures cloaked in the right to freedom of expression and opinion.

Imran Khan said marginalization of any community leads to radicalization.

Imran Khan maintained that terrorism has nothing to do with any religion but sadly, some western leaders associated suicide bombings and acts of terror with Islam and coined terms like ‘radical Islamic terrorism’ and ‘Islamic extremism’ for political benefits without taking into consideration how this behavior might give rise to Islamophobia.

There is a need for promoting greater understanding and tolerance among and between communities across the world, said Imran Khan.

Speaking on the occasion, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said hate speech has emerged as the worst crimes against humanity.

He said Muslims are the most vulnerable community to hate speech across the world.

He said Muslims are being lynched for eating beef in India.

Commenting on worst human rights situation in Occupied Kashmir, President Erdogan said Kashmir has been turned into an open prison and we fear blood shed there.

He also expressed condolence over the tragic loss of life in earth quake in Mirpur and other parts of Pakistan.