Pakistan has urged the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) to concentrate on combating the rising phenomenon of Islamophobia, which now forms part of far-right and neo-fascist parties’ manifestos.

“We are witnessing the global resurgence in intolerance, discrimination, racism, negative stereotyping, and violence against persons, on the basis of religion or belief,” Ambassador Aamir Khan, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations (UN), told a meeting of UNAOC’s Group of Friends on Tuesday.

“While none of the religious communities are immune from such discrimination, a particularly alarming trend is the global resurgence in Islamophobia,” he said while adding that the purpose of the alliance is to build bridges, and not burn them.

“Irrespective of our diversity, it is in our enlightened interest to respect each other’s religious beliefs, eliminate the most pervasive forms of religious discrimination, and combat incitement to violence,” the Pakistani representative said.

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But today, he said Islamophobia was unmistakable in the manifestos of far-right and neo-fascist parties that call for expulsion and even genocide of Muslim minorities; in the politicisation and censorship of the hijab; in the deliberate vandalising of Islamic symbols and holy sites; and, in some cases, adoption of highly discriminatory citizenship laws.

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“They also cause great anguish within the Islamic world,” he said, noting that numerous world leaders, UN officials, including the UN secretary-general, UN high commissioner for human rights, special rapporteurs of the human rights council have underscored the importance of collectively addressing the problem of Islamophobia.

“We would therefore urge UNAOC to retain a sharp focus on combating Islamophobia while formulating its program and activities.”

At the UN, Ambassador Aamir Khan said that an unequivocal show of empathy and solidarity with victims of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred would help in responding to public concern in many Muslim countries.