Pakistan Raises Concern Over Rising Islamophobia at UN Dialogue on Minority Rights
The remarks were made at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, a session held within the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, which examines global issues related to minority rights and discrimination.
Speaking on Friday, Saima Saleem, counsellor at Pakistan’s UN mission, said that promoting respect for diversity and safeguarding minority rights are essential to achieving peace and inclusive development.
She warned of “a rising tide of Islamophobia, intolerance and right-wing extremism targeting minorities, particularly Muslims worldwide.”
In her statement, Saleem said the “weaponization of religion for political ends, the vilification of entire communities, and the systematic marginalization of Muslims in some regions” were deeply troubling. She added that such practices threaten human rights, development, and international peace.
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Pakistan has previously raised the issue of Islamophobia in international forums, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In 2022, following a joint initiative by Pakistan and the OIC, the UN designated March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The Pakistani representative emphasized that global efforts should focus on turning diversity into mutual respect.
She called on the international community to “act with solidarity and moral clarity to counter these dangerous trends, hold perpetrators accountable, and reaffirm that respect for diversity is a universal obligation, not a selective choice.”
Source: Agencies
