Imran writes letter to Muslim leaders for joint action against Islamophobia
Imran Khan talks to the media person during his visit to Karachi. File
Gulf Today Report
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday has written letters to heads of the Muslim states urging them to "act collectively" and counter the growth of Islamophobia in non-Muslim countries, especially in European nations.
The move comes after he slammed French President Emmanuel Macron for fanning Islamophobia. Macron has defended the publication of blasphemous cartoons, saying it was an issue of free speech.
Anger has grown in the Muslim world over remarks by the French President. The dispute has its roots in a knife attack outside a French school on Oct.16 in which a man of Chechen origin beheaded Samuel Paty, a teacher who had shown pupils the cartoons in a civics lesson on freedom of speech.
Imran shared on his Twitter account the image of the two-page letter, urging the Muslim leaders to act urgently against Islamophobia.
“My letter to leaders of Muslim states to act collectively to counter the growing Islamophobia in non-Muslim states especially Western states causing increasing concern amongst Muslims the world over,” the Prime Minister said, as he posted image on his social media account.
“Today, we are confronting a growing concern and restlessness amongst our Ummah as they see the rising tide of Islamophobia and attacks, through ridicule and mockery on our beloved Prophet Muhamad PBUH in the Western world, especially Europe,” he wrote.
Imran said the recent statements at the leadership level and incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran were a reflection of increasing Islamophobia, spreading in European countries where sizeable Muslim populations resided.
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About “covert and overt discrimination,” he mentioned that in Europe, mosques were being closed and Muslim women being denied their right to wear clothing of their choice in public domain, whereas nuns and priests continued to display their religious clothing.
“I believe the leadership in these countries, often acts out of lack of understanding of the intrinsic deep passion, love and devotion Muslims all over the world have for their Prophet Muhammad PBUH and their divine book the Holy Quran,” he said.
He said, “As a result, a dangerous cycle of actions and reactions are set in motion. Hurtful actions result in reactions from Muslims as they see their faith and their beloved Prophet targeted which results in further discriminatory actions by governments against Muslim populations in their states, resulting in marginalisation of Muslims and the creating of space for radical, far-right groups to exploit the situation.”
Pakistani premier said marginalisation was leading to radicalisation and this vicious cycle continued to create increasing space for extremists on all sides.
“In this environment, it is incumbent on us as leaders of the Muslim world to collectively take the lead in breaking this cycle of hate and extremism, which nurtures violence and even death. We, as leaders of Muslim polities, must take the initiative to call for an end to this cycle of hate and violence,” he said.
Imran Khan urged upon the Muslim leaders to raise collective voice and explain to the leadership of the non-Muslim, especially western states, the deep-seated reverence and love all Muslims feel for their divine book, the Holy Quran, and for Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
“It is time to reach out to “the other” and end cycles of violence bred of ignorance and hate. We must explain to the Western world that value systems differ for different social and religious and ethnic groups in the world,” he said.
