By Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
We are passing through a very critical era, where humanity is facing man-made as well as natural disasters. Geopolitics are moving toward confrontation rapidly.
The Middle-East used to be the hub of conflict, whereas the South China sea is also under serious threats. Azerbaijan-Armenia war has entered an alarming stage. Africa is also in trouble, and South America is unstable. Sino-India border dispute is converting into a war-like situation. Sino-US relations have deteriorated severely. Humanity is facing severe challenges. Pandemic, Floods, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Fire are natural disasters happening here or there on and off.
Under this scaring scenario, sensible nations and individuals are struggling for harmony, understanding, stability, and welfare of humanity. The ultimate goal is to save humanity from any disaster.
France is a mature nation and understands the challenges faced by humanity. At the same time, President Macron’s remarks are against the wishes of the French people. France is home to many Muslims, who are contributing toward the development, stability, and prosperity of France; hurting them is not wisdom. 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 Prophit and holy boodisrespectk – the Quran.
There are around 2 billion Muslims, every fourth person is 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 the history. 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.
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 violence are not allowed 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, 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 national 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 save humanity, irrespective of 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. All sensible nations and individuals are requested to promote understanding, harmony, tolerance, and respect for each other. We all have a responsibility to make this world a better place to live, where everyone enjoys respect, equal rights, justice, and prosperity.
Author: 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 (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy or views of World Geostrategic Insights).
Image Credit: REUTERS/Sandy Huffaker