PM Imran calls for tackling Islamophobia at UNGA event

Pakistan, Turkey co-host 'Combating Hate Spech' event on sidelines of 74th session of General Assembly in New York

News Desk September 25, 2019

PM Imran Khan, Turkish President Erdogan co-host session on hate speech. PHOTO: PID

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Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for effective measures to counter hate speech and Islamophobia at an event titled “Combating Hate Speech”, co-hosted by Turkey and Pakistan at the 74th session of UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

High level Roundtable discussion hosted by Pakistan & Turkey on Countering Hate Speech at #UNGA. Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI & President @RTErdogan present at the discussion. pic.twitter.com/SxQO0DDuZK
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 25, 2019

Noting the growing incidence of discrimination and violence based on religion and belief, the premier underscored the importance of addressing both the drivers and consequences of these phenomena.

He rejected attempts to equate Islam with terrorism, noting that such self-serving approaches were dangerous and therefore should be eschewed.

Prime Minister Imran underlined that the United Nations provided an important platform to evolve an informed discourse on countering these phenomenon, noting the need for more efforts by Muslim leaders to explain why attempts to denigrate revered Muslim personalities especially Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) caused pain and offense to billions of Muslims.

He cautioned against attempts to denigrate revered personalities and scriptures cloaked in the right to freedom of expression and opinion. Marginalisation of any community leads to radicalisation.
Religion has nothing to do with terrorism. -@ImranKhanPTI #RemoveCurfewInKashmir
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 25, 2019

He also called for promoting greater understanding and tolerance among and between communities across the world.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey also spoke at the event.

Among other things, the president echoed the concerns and called for a balance between exercising the right to freedom of expression and freedom of religion. The Turkish president also expressed concern over the situation in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating his call for a just solution of this longstanding dispute.

Kashmir has been turned into an open prison. We fear bloodshed there. - President of Turkey @RTErdogan #RemoveCurfewInKashmir pic.twitter.com/Xudv2pa3Dc
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 25, 2019

COMMENTS (1)

Josheela | 4 years ago | Reply I have seen a clip of PM Khan's speech at this event. One word 'Brilliant'. Suggest to the editor of Express to please add the clip for the world to see and hear. In that speech PM Khan has exposed the facade that India is putting up to equate Islam with terrorism for political gains that may lead to a conflict between the followers of the greatest and the oldest religions of the world.

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