Ali Zaidi hails PM’s efforts to highlight issue of Islamophobia

Federal Minister for maritime affairs Ali Zaidi has hailed the efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan for highlighting the issue of Islamophobia.

Member of National Assembly took to Twitter and appreciated the PM’s efforts of highlighting the issue that bore fruit. “He announced that UNGA adopted Pak sponsored resolution respecting sacred religious symbols, making blasphemy of Prophet Mohammad SAWW in the name of freedom of expression reprehensible!”

Bravo to the leadership of PM @ImranKhanPTI in highlighting the issue of Islamophobia. UNGA adopted Pak sponsored resolution respecting sacred religious symbols, making blasphemy of Prophet Mohammad SAWW in the name of freedom of expression reprehensible!https://t.co/dBNBKJLCvy

— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) December 6, 2020

UNGA adopts Pakistan-sponsored resolution

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a Pakistan and Philippines sponsored resolution on inter-religious dialogue that emphasized the need to respect “sacred religious symbols.”

According to APP, the resolution received a majority of 90 votes, none against, with 52 abstentions

“Facing strong opposition from the powerful western bloc mainly based on freedom of expression, the Pakistan Mission worked hard to rally the OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation] and other developing countries to garner support for the inclusion of new elements in the resolution,” APP reported.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram had said about PM Khan’s repeated calls to the international community.

“Ambassador Akram also emphasized that the deliberate “vilification and negative stereotyping of adherents of one of the largest religions in the world –Islam — only perpetuates dangerous self-fulfilling prophecies such as the ‘clash of civilizations’ and must be addressed on urgent basis,” APP quoted the ambassador as saying.

“After some intensive lobbying, the resolution acknowledges — for the first time — the significance and respect for religious symbols,” the state news agency added. “It also stressed that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities, and must therefore be subjected to legitimate restrictions.”

“The resolution condemned any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to violence or discrimination,” APP said, “and underlines the importance of interrelgious and intercultural dialogue as a valuable tool for promoting social cohesion, and peace and development in the world.”