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Editor's note:
The author is Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (N.U.S.T.), Islamabad, Pakistan. (E-mail: [email protected]).
Although France is a mature nation and understands the complexity of rapidly changing geopolitics, however, President Macron’s remarks are against the wishes of the French people. Many people in France condemned his anti-Islamic sentiments. France is home to many Muslims, although most of them are immigrants, but French nationals now. Islam is the rapidly growing religion in France. They are contributing toward the development, stability, and prosperity of France. Hurting them is not wise. Muslims love the holy prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him, and can not accept any derogatory remarks. Muslims respect all other religions, especially Christianity and Jewish. Islam does not allow us the disrespect any prophet or religious book. Muslims expect others to respect our Holy Prophet and the holy book – the Quran.
There are around 2 billion Muslims, every fourth person in this world is a Muslim, there are 57 Muslim countries as a member of the U.N., Muslims lives all over the world, in almost every country. Islam is one of the significant divine religions, and Muslims have been contributing a lot toward humanity in history. Even today, Muslims contribute toward world energy, trade, and the global economy. No doubt, currently, Muslims are divided, politicized, and backward, or maybe naïve, but are an important segment of the society and may not be undermined or humiliated. Islam is a religion of peace and teaches us “Peace.”.
Muslims all around the world are hurt and condemned the derogatory remarks. Not only in the Muslim world, but many neutral countries are also angry at his deliberate attempt to instigate Muslims and anti-muslim sentiments. Protests, agitations, rallies are witnessed in almost all major capitals of the world. Some Muslims are demanding to boycott the French products, and some of them are appealing to broke diplomatic relations with France.
Pakistan condemns in the most emphatic manner the systematic resurgence of blasphemous acts of republication of caricatures of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) and desecration of the Holy Quran by certain irresponsible elements in some developed countries. We are further alarmed at highly disturbing statements by certain politicians justifying such heinous acts under the garb of freedom of expression and equating Islam with terrorism for narrow electoral and political gains.
Under international human rights law, the implementation of the right to freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities. The dissemination of prejudiced ideas, defamation and ridiculing of other religions, denigration of religious personalities, hate speech, and incitement to violenceare not permissible expressions of this fundamental freedom.
Such illegal and Islamophobic acts fanning inter-religious disgust, hostility, and fight are the very basis of horrendous terrorist acts like Christ Church, thereby imperiling future prospects of peace and harmony among civilizations.
Whilst having anti-blasphemy and criminal laws for delicate issues such as the denial of the Holocaust, the justification by a few politicians in some Western countries for insulting sentiments of Muslims is a blatant reflection of double standards. Such explanations extremely erode their human rights credentials.
Pakistan has always maintained and stays to lead international efforts for combating intolerance, discrimination, and violence on the basis of religion or belief. Both in our state capacity as well as part of the O.I.C. group, we have promoted arduously for the cooperation of civilizations and developing mutual understanding and respect for all religions, faiths, and beliefs. We unequivocally denounce all acts of violence on the basis of religion or belief.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his address at the 75th U.N. General Assembly session,emphasized the recent incidents of Islamophobia and such criminal provocations and urged the international community to take all necessary policy measures to comprehensively outlaw deliberate provocations and incitement to hate and violence. The Prime Minister also proposed to declare an International Day to Fight Islamophobia.
At a time of growing racism and populism, the global community must show a common resolve against xenophobia, intolerance, stigmatization, and incitement to violence on the basis of religion or belief. It is necessary to work together for peaceful co-existence as well as social and inter-faith harmony.
It is time to unite and respecteach other, irrespectiveof race, religion, ethnicity, etc. Muslims are urged to observe restraint and patience and should not over-react. Instead, educate their non-Muslim colleagues with their good behavior and excellent character. Muslims are advised to practice Islam and observe Islamic values in their daily life. Present themselves as role models to their non-Muslim colleagues as true Muslims. Islam prohibits us from hate. All sensible nations and individuals are requested to promote understanding, harmony, tolerance, and respect for each other.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
