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Excellencies, Distinguished Participants,
I would like to thank you, on behalf of the Pakistan delegation, Ambassador Ufuk Gokcen and the Permanent Observer Mission of the OIC, for responding positively to our invitation to this event.
Our purpose in convening here today – during this week devoted to Interfaith Harmony – is to highlight our concern regarding certain recent developments which pose dangers to such harmony, to the observance of human rights and humanitarian norms and which, indeed, could exacerbate the threats to regional and global peace and security.
Dear friends and participants,
Pakistan and the OIC countries are most concerned by the recent sharp rise of acts of discrimination, hate and violence against specific religious and ethnic communities, especially Muslims. Unfortunately, this is happening in countries, which are the traditional champions of human rights and humanitarianism.
This phenomenon, so far unchecked, has gained currency in the past decade and especially after the 9/11 tragedy. Although the Global Counter Terrorism Strategy stipulated that terrorism cannot and should not be equated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, this is precisely what some are trying to do.
The instances of insults against Islam and Muslims are now legion. Islam has been called unspeakable names; minarets have been portrayed as missiles.
These have proved not only to be empty insults. Expressions of such hate and prejudice have provoked physical and psychological violence against Muslims and their businesses, mosques and community centers in some countries. Almost all Muslim communities have been subjected to such intolerance. Many live in fear. Their alienation expands the divide between faiths and cultures within and among nations.
Unfortunately, this campaign of hate and prejudice has received a fillip from ignorant media portrayals of Muslims. Unprincipled politicians have sought to build their political fortunes through a similar contribution to spreading fear and xenophobia – promising to build walls against migrants; barring refugees, even widows and orphans; banning the adherents of a specific religion from entry to their countries' shores.
As President Obama acknowledged yesterday, "we have to understand an attack on one faith is an attack on all our faiths. And when any religious group is targeted, we all have a responsibility to speak up. "
Friends and participants,
The recent massive influx of refugees and migrants fleeing brutal conflicts, persecution and deprivation to the havens of Europe initially evoked many heartwarming acts of generosity, humanity and solidarity. We embrace Pope Francis' call to "accept refugees as brothers and sisters despite all the challenges and difficulties".
Unfortunately, the purveyors of hate have sought to turn the tide against the advocates of openness and humanitarianism, especially after the horrible terrorist attacks in Paris. They have equated helpless refugees and migrants with violent extremists in order to generate political support for the forces of hate, prejudice, intolerance and xenophobia.
This is a dangerous trend. Such xenophobia and discrimination; such profiling of entire peoples and communities by religion or ethnicity, have grave antecedents. Seventy-five years ago, they led to the Holocaust.
Those who have declared the denial of the Holocaust a crime should hardly argue that the freedom of expression allows insults against Islam and hate speech and incitement to violence against Muslims.
Hate inevitably breeds hate. Islamophobia will breed its antithesis. It is a recipe for a clash of cultures- a clash we must avoid if the world is to have any hope of collective action to end the chaos in the Middle East and eliminate all forms of terrorism.
Excellencies, distinguished participants,
During this "World Interfaith Harmony Week", we look to all those who believe in humanity's common future, to help in evolving a consensus for action to combat the forces of xenophobia, prejudice, hatred and racism.
Such a consensus should provide for bold political actions and robust legislative norms, including:
We look forward to a most productive discussion to which, I am sure, our distinguished panelists will make a major contribution.
I thank you.