Islamabad: On the occasion of the International Day Against Islamophobia, the Center for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a roundtable discussion titled “The Importance of Global Solidarity in the Fight against Islamophobia” which brought to the fore a global dialogue focused on to address the prejudice, intolerance, violence and injustice faced by Muslims around the world. Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), was the chief guest; The ambassadors of Iran and Turkey and a prominent academic and senior State Department official joined as panelists.
Dr. In her opening remarks, Neelum Nigar, Director of CSP, thanked the esteemed panelists and other participants and emphasized the importance of combating Islamophobia at a time marked by many global conflicts and issues.
DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, in his welcome remarks, highlighted the journey since the March 2019 Christchurch terrorist attacks in New Zealand and highlighted key moments and global actions, including Pakistan’s leadership role in the OIC and the UN General Assembly, culminating in the designation of March as the “International Day of Struggle against Islamophobia.” Tracing the development and myriad manifestations of Islamophobia in recent decades, he emphasized that Islamophobia is not only widespread in some Western countries, but also in non-Western parts of the world. including the Pakistani neighborhood where it grew due to the ideology of “Hindutva”. Noting that the world was experiencing extreme levels of unrest, he stressed that it was time to build bridges, not emphasize religious or cultural fault lines or create further divisions. People of goodwill of all faiths should come forward and play their part in creating greater mutual respect, understanding and interfaith harmony, he concluded.
A special video message by the Honorable Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) His Excellency Hissein Brahim Tah was shared for the occasion. The Secretary-General emphasized the urgent need to combat and address widespread prejudice and discrimination against Muslims around the world and the importance of promoting a culture of tolerance, respect and mutual understanding across different religions and communities. In addition, he called for international solidarity, legal measures against hate speech and discrimination, and educational initiatives to dispel myths and misconceptions about Islam and its followers.
Dr. Muhammad Israr Madani of the Islamic Research Council of Religious Affairs provided an expert commentary on the multifaceted nature of Islamophobia, tracing its historical roots and contemporary manifestations. His analytical insights into the factors contributing to Islamophobia, from media misrepresentation to socio-political dynamics in Western countries, offered a comprehensive overview of the complexities involved. Dr. Emphasis Madani’s focus on strategic engagement, media literacy and educational reforms suggested a constructive framework for countering Islamophobic narratives.
Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), delved into the political and legal dimensions of Islamophobia and advocated a balanced approach between freedom of expression and respect for religious sentiments. His call to use international human rights frameworks as a common basis for dialogue and action resonated with the audience and highlighted the importance of diplomacy and legal action in the fight against Islamophobia.
HE. Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, enriched the discussion on contextualizing Islamophobia within broader historical and geopolitical narratives. His critique of Islamophobia as a tool of political manipulation and his call for unity among Muslim nations underscored the importance of solidarity and collective identity in overcoming adversity.
HE. Dr. Mehmet Paçaci, Ambassador of Türkiye to Pakistan, pointed out the alarming rise of Islamophobia all over the world, especially in Western and some non-Western countries including India. His speech on the political abuse of Islamophobia and the urgent need for international accountability and cooperation offered a compelling call to action for Muslim and non-Muslim countries alike to address this urgent problem.
Chief guest Dr. Qibla Ayaz delivered an illuminating speech that provided deep historical insight into Islamophobia, identifying its roots and evolution over the centuries. Dr. Ayaz recommended promoting a deeper understanding of Western cultures, fostering interfaith dialogues and strategic use of the media and academia to combat Islamophobia, highlighting the path to mutual respect and understanding.
Specifically, he emphasized the importance of “working in the West” on the one hand, and developing a better understanding of the West within Muslim societies on the other. Dr. Qibla Ayaz also emphasized the need for “retrospection” – noting that extremist actions by individual Muslims or disrespecting the rights of minorities in Muslim countries will not lead to a better picture or help mutual understanding. In essence, he said he sees a “ray of hope” and that despite the prevailing negativity and formidable challenges, collective action can help bring about positive change.
Remarks by the esteemed speakers were followed by an interactive discussion session in which all the participants enthusiastically participated. The discussion highlighted the importance of youth engagement, global solidarity, informed dialogue and proactive measures to address Islamophobia.
At the end, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG ISSI, presented ISSI mementos to the honorable participants of the discussion, followed by a group photo.
