The UN General Assembly has adopted by consensus a resolution declaring March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The resolution, introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, was sponsored and supported by Qatar among many other nations.
Addressing the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, Second Secretary at the Permanent Delegation of Qatar to the UN, Ahmed bin Saif Al Kuwari renewed Qatar’s commitment to support every effort towards promoting a culture of peace, welcoming all measures taken by the United Nations to encourage a culture of peace and interfaith dialogue. Qatar said the draft resolution comes out of serious concern about the increase in violence, incitement to violence and discrimination against Muslims motivated by Islamophobia, which it said was unfortunately becoming increasingly frequent around the world.
The resolution and adoption of the day by the UN General Assembly will greatly contribute to promoting a culture of tolerance and peace at all levels, based on respect for human rights and the diversity of religions and beliefs.
For long, Qatar has pursued a policy of promoting global peace through dialogue, assisting peace process and conflict resolution around the world. Doha has hosted and facilitated talks and negotiations for peace in Darfur, years-long Afghan peace process, as well as the ongoing Chad peace negotiations.
Among the many initiatives and institutions geared towards promoting global peace and harmony is the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. The centre has been organising an annual international conference in which pressing global issues are addressed each year, enhancing dialogue between followers of religions, in order to better understand religious principles and teachings to harness them for the service of all humanity, based on mutual respect and recognition of differences. The country will host the 14th Doha Interfaith Dialogue Conference on May 24-25, 2022, under the theme “Religions and Hate Speech Practice and Scriptures”.
Qatar had also earlier called on the international community and all governments to confront hate speech that fuels feelings of hostility and violence against Muslims. Speaking at the 46th regular session of the Human Rights Council last year, Qatar’s Ambassador H E Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri stressed the need to take effective measures to prevent direct and indirect discrimination against Muslims, to abolish all restrictions imposed on individuals for manifesting their religion, and to combat negative and discriminatory stereotyping practiced by law enforcement agencies.
