International Day to Combat Islamophobia

March 16, 2022

The 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution to proclaim March 15^th as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

About the resolution

The resolution regarding International Day to Combat Islamophobia was introduced by Pakistan’s permanent representative to United Nations (UN), Munir Akram. The resolution was introduced on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, under the agenda item Culture of peace. The resolution was sponsored by 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and eight other countries including China and Russia.

India’s response at UNGA

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador T S Tirumurti, expressed concern over phobia against one particular religion being elevated to the level of an international day.
He said that India condemns all acts motivated by antisemitism, Christianophobia, or Islamophobia. But it should be recognized that such phobias are not restricted to Abrahamic religions only. There is also hatred against non-Abrahamic religions.
He gave several examples in this regard, such as the destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan by the Taliban, massacre of Sikh pilgrims in gurudwara, attack on temples, etc.
He also mentioned that there are other forms of religiophobia such as anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist and anti-Sikh phobias. Thus, there is a need to acknowledge the prevalence of religiophobia in general, rather than single out phobia against one particular religion.
India wants the UN to remain above religious matters, as there is a possibility of the UN being divided into religious camps, rather than being a platform of peace & harmony.

Indian Ambassador also reminded that there already exists “International Day commemorating the victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief” and “International Day of Tolerance”.

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