UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan Friday lauded the UN-backed initiative that seeks to promote better cross-cultural relations worldwide, and called for stepped up efforts to promote interfaith harmony in the wake of the release of an anti-Islam video that led to protests in Muslim countries.
"The instances of religious intolerance and acts of incitement to hatred such as the release of the blasphemous video are on the increase," Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said in remarks to the ministerial meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations' Group of Friends, held on the margins of the high-level debate of the General Assembly.
"These incidents are not only sowing the seeds of religious hatred, discrimination and violence among and within societies but are also a serious threat to the maintenance of international peace and security," Khar said.
"The United Nations as well as all member states have the duty to urgently address these negative trends," she said, adding, "While member states must take appropriate actions to ensure protection against such acts in accordance with relevant international law, the UN, in collaboration with the alliance, must increase its efforts to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue and harmony."
The Alliance was launched in 2005 through the initiative of Spain and Turkey, under UN auspices.
Shortly after the release of the video, the Alliance launched an initiative to ensure that the voices of moderation were not drowned out by the vocal and violent minorities on any side.
Called "Represent Yourself," the Twitter campaign engaged more than three million people in just a few days.
"This is one small example," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the meeting. "Time and time again, the Alliance has shown how it can help open minds and seek change on the ground. It does so by empowering youth around the world" inviting tomorrow’s leaders to take part in cross-cultural exchanges "training journalists to keep the public better informed " and much more.
Ban also announced that he has designated Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the President of the Assembly's 66th session, as High Representative for the Alliance. Al-Nasser replaces Jorge Sampaio, former President of Portugal, who led the initiative for five years.
Sampaio will step down following the next Alliance forum, which is scheduled for February 2013 and will focus on the issue of responsible leadership.
As the Alliance renews its leadership, the Secretary-General urged participants to renew their commitment, engagement and support.
"The challenges we face are clear and connected. It is our duty to build the alliances of understanding that can help secure progress on the many critical issues we face. Let us make the most of this invaluable platform."
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Shouldn't Khar and Pakistan first call for an "Alliance of all Muslim Pakistanis" to eliminate religious discrimination, bigotry and ill-treatment of minorities such as Ahmedis, Shia, Hindu, Sikh and Christians before preaching to the world?
How about eliminating the constitutional designation of non-Muslims as second-class citizen? Simpler yet, why not eliminate all bigoted and hateful teaching against Hindus, Jews and Christians in Pakistani textbooks for starters?
@JSM: "This is like India of 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s." How true! Those were Nehru years and immediate thereafter when we rode the moral high horse pontificating to the world how to run itself. And then, we fell like nine pins before the Han onslaught! That onslaught was the best thing our enemy could have done to us. We needed that kick on our butt to bring us to our senses!
She is a part of all powerful government in Pakistan. Why does she not practice in Pakistan what she is preaching others to do. For a change, why do Pakistan leaders not stop preaching the world. This is like India of 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
Talking in western concepts but actually believing that her religion is the the only true one. Say what you really mean. We not only want respect for Muslims we want that non-believers are punished when trespassing Muslim sensitivities (only, the rest I don't care), anywhere any time. We do not accept any barriers for Muslims wanting to convert the whole world to become Muslims. In short her quest for harmony is on Muslim terms only. But reality is that a country with 97% Muslims is not even able to establish an harmonious society. Show the world that you can achieve at home what others have achieved already. Freedom of religion in most western countries has contributed to creating that civilization, but many Muslims are misusing it. What harmony are you talking about?
Height of hypocrisy
Pakistan calls for Alliance of Civilizations to increase efforts in fostering understanding the alliance of civilizations already exists lady, open your eyes.they have extraordinary level of understanding between them.it's only Pakistan which is struggling to find the right direction to align itself.
Pakistan is the poster child of "religious intolerance" - when in doubt go ask a Shia, Ahmadi, Christian or Hindu. Better yet -- get together and rebuild the Christian Church you just burned to the ground. Your FM speech is a good reminder why the World judges Pakistan based on what you actually do rather than what you say.
Bird with similar feather fly togather .
I see. So what does Madam Hina think about the following instances - Shias i Quetta and Gilgit being disembarked from buses and killed after confirming they are Shia - Police destroyed Ahmadi worship place by nisinterpreting a law that came into effect after the worship place was built anyway - Hindus are escaping the country to protect their minor daughters from rape and forced conversion - Despite finding out that the local Imam had falsely implicated Rimsha, she had to be smuggled away for her safety and she could not be safe among her neighbours - A church was recently burnt down as part of the protest against a movie in a far away land
Do all these episodes lead to harmony? BEfore rolling out the project worldwide and telling others what to do, why do you not focus on protecting your own minorities?