PM Imran calls on West to criminalise Islamophobia

Like Holocaust denial, hatemongering against Muslims should also be penalised, says Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan called on Western nations on Saturday to criminalise Islamophobia and hatemongering against Muslims the same way they had outlawed Holocaust denial.

He also demanded an apology from the extremists in the West who under the garb of freedom of speech had hurt 1.3 billion Muslims with their blasphemous acts against “our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him)”.

My message to extremists abroad who indulge in Islamophobia & racist slurs to hurt & cause pain to 1.3 bn Muslims across the globe: We Muslims have the greatest love & respect for our Prophet PBUH who lives in our hearts. We cannot tolerate any such disrespect & abuse.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 17, 2021

In a clear message to extremists abroad who indulged in “Islamophobia and racist slurs to hurt and cause pain to 1.3 billion Muslims across the globe”, the premier said: “We Muslims have the greatest love and respect for our Prophet (PBUH) who lives in our hearts. We cannot tolerate any such disrespect.”

“I also call on Western governments. who have outlawed any negative comment on the Holocaust to use the same standards to penalise those deliberately spreading their message of hate against Muslims by disrespecting (blaspheming) our (Holy) Prophet Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH),” he wrote.

I also call on Western govts who have outlawed any negative comment on the holocaust to use the same standards to penalise those deliberately spreading their message of hate against Muslims by abusing our Prophet PBUH.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 17, 2021

“Those in the West, including extreme right politicians, who deliberately indulge in such abuse and hate under the guise of freedom of speech clearly lack moral sense and courage to apologise to the 1.3 billion Muslims for causing this hurt. We demand an apology from these extremists,” he further posted.

Those in the West, incl extreme right politicians, who deliberately indulge in such abuse & hate under guise of freedom of speech clearly lack moral sense & courage to apologise to the 1.3 bn Muslims for causing this hurt. We demand an apology from these extremists.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 17, 2021

The Holocaust is referred to the genocide of European Jews during World War II by the Nazi Germany. Denying the Holocaust is illegal in several European countries, including Germany and France, and offenders could be jailed.

On Thursday, the government banned the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) after its supporters staged violent protests during which multiple policemen were killed and injured. The TLP had demanded expulsion of the French ambassador in protest against President Macron’s defence of the blasphemous cartoons’ publication.

In a related tweet, the prime minister also made it clear that the government took action against the TLP under the anti-terrorist law when it challenged the writ of the state as no one could be above law.

“Let me make [it] clear to people here and abroad: Our government only took action against the TLP under our anti-terrorist law when they challenged the writ of the state and used street violence and attacking the public and law enforcers. No one can be above the law and the Constitution,” he said.

Let me make clear to people here & abroad: Our govt only took action against TLP under our anti-terrorist law when they challenged the writ of the state and used street violence & attacking the public & law enforcers. No one can be above the law and the Constitution.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 17, 2021