A senior Iranian diplomat has urged the international community to reject any measures that can reinforce the “daunting challenge” of Islamophobia.
Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani made the remark while delivering a statement at the UN General Assembly before the adoption of draft resolution L.48 “Measures to combat Islamophobia” on Friday.
“Allow me to reiterate our full support to the initiative proposed by the members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to undertake follow up measures to address the growing trend of intolerance and prejudice against Islam and Muslims worldwide, which is a daunting challenge to the international community,” he said.
“Harmful stereotypes and prejudices regarding Muslims and Islam have been constantly reinforced by certain media outlets, politicians, and influencers of popular culture” over the past decades, he said, adding that “discriminatory practices” against Muslims in various parts of the world have prevented them “living under their belief system.”
“In such critical moment, it is important to ensure that the United Nations remains united against attempts to embrace Islamophobia,” he said, naming Muslim travel bans, Qur’an desecration, and bans on the Hijab and Muslim symbols as such attempts.
Iravani said Iran strongly believes that proposed arrangements in draft resolution, including decision to appoint a United Nations Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia, will assist the OIC in mobilizing efforts to combat such overgrowing challenges.
He stressed the need for the General Assembly to strongly condemn violent acts against religious symbols and the holy book of Muslims.
The General Assembly has already recognized the “deeply offensive and disrespectful” desecration of the holy books as a violation of international law, he noted.
“It is unfortunate that such acts take place in countries that claim the establishment and enforcement of the rule of law; and it is reprehensible that such actions are justified under the guise of freedom of expression,” the Iranian ambassador pointed out.
He said Iran regrets that despite best OIC efforts to garner consensus, the member states of the European Union have tabled amendments, which directly affect the core objectives of the draft resolution aimed at combating Islamophobia worldwide.
“Iran aligns its position with the OIC members and strongly objects these amendments and urges entire members to vote against them,” he added.
He called on all member states to shoulder their responsibilities and live up to their legal obligations in order to advance the shared values of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and mutual understanding.
The United Nations declared March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia through a resolution back in 2022.
In doing so, the world body urged nations across the international community to adopt clear stances and measures aimed at confronting hatred, discrimination, and violence against Muslims around the globe.
In a post on X on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian urged a united endeavor on the part of the entire Muslim world towards confronting Islamophobia.
He defined “confronting Islamophobia” as “the Muslim nation’s collective endeavor aimed at [creating] effective deterrence in the face of seditious movements that are against sustainable peace and security.”
