November 05, 2006	Sunday	Shawwal 12, 1427

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov 4: Pakistan has urged the UN General Assembly and the newly created Human Rights Council to work towards stopping religious defamation manifested in instances of ‘Islamophobia’ so as to foster a culture of peace.

Speaking in the 192-member Assembly, Pakistan’s delegate Senator Akram Zaki stressed that the two UN bodies condemn religious intolerance and the defamation of religions, particularly in the terms of linking Islam with violence and terrorism.

“The United Nations, in its endeavour to promote religious multi-culturalism, should appeal to the larger membership to deter and discourage antagonism and discrimination against Islam and Muslim people,” he said while participating in a debate on the culture for peace.

This is one of three proposals Akram Zaki had presented for ending religious intolerance in many regions of the world.

The other proposals being that the General Assembly hold a high-level event to promote racial and religious tolerance, and, following the recommendations of the special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, that member states develop a global strategy to address the issue of religious intolerance and introduce a legal instrument that would combat the defamation of religion.

In this context, he said, Pakistan in collaboration with the Philippines had introduced a draft resolution in the Assembly to promote respect for the diversity of cultures and religious and he urged all member states to endorse it.

Pakistan, he said, supported international commitments that promoted tolerance and peace, especially in today’s inter-connected world. Increased connectivity between world cultures had promoted better knowledge among people around the world, but it had also reinforced deepened differences and alienation, which were often displayed in anti-religious manifestations.

Endorsing the Assembly’s strong commitment to promoting dialogue and understanding among civilisations, cultures and religions, he noted that the UN rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief had indicated that intolerance between religious communities was encouraged by governmental bodies and negative media reports. He urged the Assembly and the Human Rights Council to evolve ways and means towards averting religious defamation.—APP