Web Desk: Today on Saturday 15th March, International Day to combat Islamophobia is being observed which has been designated by the United Nations.
It is the United Nations’ call for the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace, based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and belief across the globe.
It also falls on the anniversary of the mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch New Zealand, where 51 Muslims were tragically killed while praying, in 2019.
“Islamophobia harms and dehumanises people. It corrodes societies. Left unchecked it leads to violence. There must be measure to ensure our nation is a safe place for people from all religions and races, where dignity and respect for everyone is valued and upheld.”
“Unfortunately, Islamophobia continues to rise in the world with Muslims facing increased racism across many areas of their lives, including at their workplaces, schools and universities, online, and in public spaces.
It is being heard that many Muslims are experiencing heightened feelings of dehumanisation, isolation and unsafety. It is also heard that people who are visibly Muslim, especially women, are being particularly targeted and affected.
“Societies are continue to listen to Muslim community groups during this challenging time. Harmful stereotypes and targeting of Muslims must be addressed for a safer and inclusive society”.
“These are threats against the values that we hold dear as human beings and have no place here”.
The International Day to Combat Islamophobia serves as an opportunity for individuals, organisations, and communities to reflect on the impact of anti-Muslim prejudice and to call out Islamophobia.
What is Islamophobia?
Islamophobia is a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism, it targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim.
This definition emphasises the link between institutional levels of Islamophobia and manifestations of such attitudes, triggered by the visibility of the victim’s perceived Muslim identity. This approach also interprets Islamophobia as a form of racism, whereby Islamic religion, tradition and culture are seen as a ‘threat’ to the Western values.
Some experts prefer the label ‘anti-Muslim hatred,’ fearing that the term ‘Islamophobia’ risks condemning all critiques of Islam and, therefore, could stifle freedom of expression. But international human rights law protects individuals, not religions. And Islamophobia may also affect non-Muslims, based on perceptions of nationality, racial or ethnic background.
Combating Islamophobia
Many Governments have taken steps to combat Islamophobia by establishing anti-hate-crime legislation and measures to prevent and prosecute hate crimes and by conducting public awareness campaigns about Muslims and Islam designed to dispel negative myths and misconceptions.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by 60 Member-States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The document stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group. It calls for a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace, based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and belief.
