In a united front against the rising wave of anti-Muslim sentiments, senior diplomats from Pakistan, Türkiye, and Indonesia convened at the Turkish Consulate General in New York. Their joint commitment was not only to combat Islamophobia but also to advocate for peace, tolerance, and inter-religious dialogue. The Consul General of Pakistan, Aamer Ahmad Atozai, underscored Islam’s foundational principles of moderation, pluralism, compassion, and tolerance. He lamented the misrepresentation of Islam by a minority of extremists and the alarming surge of Islamophobia post-9/11, which manifests in various forms, including hate speech, violence, and institutional discrimination against Muslims.
Atozai highlighted Pakistan’s active involvement, alongside Türkiye and Indonesia, in the recent adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution aimed at combating Islamophobia. This resolution includes a significant call for the appointment of a United Nations Special Envoy on the issue. Notably, Atozai condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as reflective of global Islamophobia, shedding light on similar incidents worldwide. He pointed to the systematic destruction of religious sites in India and the discriminatory policies in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, designed to alter the region’s demographic composition from a Muslim majority to a Hindu majority.
NEW YORK : The event also featured a panel discussion with distinguished speakers analyzing various dimensions of Islamophobia. Associate Prof. Dr. Enes Bayrakli from Türkiye delved into the nature and roots of Islamophobia, while Dr. Imam Shams Ali from Indonesia proposed strategies for combatting it. Pakistani journalist Raza Ahmad Rumi emphasized the perilous manifestations of Islamophobia, particularly in India, stressing the urgent need for effective countermeasures. Throughout the discussions, there was a unanimous recognition of the indispensable role of international cooperation and community engagement in tackling this pervasive issue.
In parallel, the Consulate Generals of Pakistan, Türkiye, and Indonesia co-hosted an event with a similar emphasis on combatting Islamophobia. Opening statements reiterated their governments’ collective dedication to this cause and their advocacy for peace, tolerance, and inter-religious dialogue. Consul General Aamer Ahmad of Pakistan reiterated concerns over global Islamophobia, highlighting Israel’s actions in Gaza and prevalent incidents worldwide. He also drew attention to India’s internal actions, such as the destruction of religious sites and demographic engineering in Jammu and Kashmir. These statements reinforce the message of solidarity and determination among these nations to confront Islamophobia on a global scale.
