Egypt's Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb. Photo courtesy of Al-Azhar Facebook page.
Egyptian Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Osama Abdelkhalek said this during a speech he delivered on El-Tayyeb's behalf on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia at the UN.
Sheikh El-Tayyeb expressed his deep appreciation for UN Secretary-General António Guterres' courageous stance and fair statements on Islam.
Moreover, he asserted that the UN chief's knowledgeable statements refute misconceptions and wrong stereotypes about Islam, highlighting how far-right groups often make use of this for political gains.
El-Tayyeb also stressed the need for developing an international definition of Islamophobia, including terms and practices that are regularly reviewed to address hatred and violence against Muslims.
He further called for tracking laws and policies that deepen the Islamophobia phenomenon or provide solutions that do not address it. The ultimate goal is to create rules that combat Islamophobia and eliminate it.
Additionally, El-Tayyeb called for creating comprehensive and updated databases to document crimes and racist practices against Muslims.
"The battle against Islamophobia is ongoing. It must be manifest in education, dialogue, media, and legislation that protects human dignity," he emphasized.
Furthermore, the grand imam urged governments and organizations to collaborate in developing a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for initiatives to combat Islamophobia, including key performance indicators of these efforts.
The
observance of this day is the culmination of efforts of many Muslim-majority countries at the UN to tackle the unjust and illogical phenomenon of Islamophobia, he said, addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
In 2022, the UNGA adopted a resolution sponsored by 60 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), designating 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The move comes amid growing global concerns regarding the rise of Islamophobia. It aims to raise awareness against the discrimination, violence, and hatred Muslims face based on their religion, culture, and identity.
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