KASUR:
From hate speech to violence, Muslims around the world have experienced different forms of violence and attacks. Following the events of 11th September 2001, anti-Muslim rhetoric emerged globally. The Western leaders and media played a crucial role in forming the anti-Muslim and Islamophobic rhetoric, which continues to persist.
In European and North American countries, blasphemous content has been publicised on several occasions under the garb of freedom of speech. Ironically, diaspora Muslims protesting against this have been subjected to harsh treatment. Some reports have revealed that more than ten European countries have prohibited the freedom of exercising Islam and banned the hijab in public spaces. In the recent past, we have witnessed fatal attacks against Muslims such as the Christchurch Mosque incident in New Zealand. Israel has constantly bombarded Palestinian territories and committed war crimes against Palestinians. Similarly, India revoked Kashmir’s autonomous status and has since committed human rights abuses against Kashmiris. Earlier this year, some Indian states imposed a ban on hijab barring Muslim girls from studying. More recently, some Indian political leaders passed blasphemous remarks for which they received significant backlash from several Muslim countries.
The anti-Muslim attitude amongst different political leaders around the world has furthered Islamophobia. The double standards of countries and international organisations are evident, and they must not be allowed to peddle such ideas. Although the United Nations declared 15th March as ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) can play a crucial role in safeguarding and protecting Muslims around the world. All Muslim countries should work together to alleviate Islamophobia and use their unanimity to urge other countries to act against anti-Muslim attitudes.
