Acts of harassment, intimidation, violence and incitement based on religion or belief have risen to alarming levels across the world, including against Muslims. There have been attacks on mosques and several incidents of public burnings of the holy Qur’an, besides targeting of cultural centres, schools and even private property belonging to Muslims.
The root cause of racism and hatred against minorities and religions is the spread of misinformation, especially by political parties and leaders who do so to build popular support for their parties. The Islamophobia is spread in most cases through organised ideological campaigns using online and offline media platforms and research centres and with the support of extremist government policies and practices.
An example of the Islamophobia is the Israeli insensitivity and hatred against Muslims evidenced by its continued refusal to allow adequate humanitarian assistance and food aid to mainly Muslim civilian population in Gaza despite the widespread hunger and signs of severe malnutrition.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning anti-Muslim violence, calling for action against religious intolerance and creating a senior UN position dedicated to combating Islamophobia on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, which is marked on March 15. Qatar welcomed the resolution and said that it is hopeful about the contribution the step will make to prevent the rising hate speech and Islamophobia across the globe.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar’s advocacy for adopting an approach that addresses the root causes of Islamophobia, emphasising the importance of synergistic efforts at all levels to condemn anti-Muslim violence and eliminate bigotry. The ministry underscored Qatar’s support for the values of tolerance and keenness to lay the foundations of international security and peace through dialogue, understanding and peaceful co- existence between nations.
Second Secretary at the Permanent Delegation of Qatar to the United Nations office in Geneva H E Sheikh Sultan bin Khalid Al Thani said on International Day to Combat Islamophobia that Qatar calls for adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of Islamophobia, stressing that disrespect for religions and incitement to religious hatred under the pretext of democratic rights and freedom of expression only leads to social disharmony and more human rights violations, which requires combating Islamophobia and eliminating intolerance in all its forms.
Sheikh Sultan called on countries to pledge solidarity and cooperation for a world in which all peoples can live in peace and harmony without fear of discrimination.
