Photo: Bernama
PETALING JAYA: The emergence of a new form of intolerance characterised by xenophobia, negative profiling and stereotyping of Muslims is a concern to the community worldwide.
In a joint statement on Wednesday (Sept 20), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned the recent burnings of the Quran in several European countries under the guise of freedom of expression.
The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, also pointed out increasing populist discourse inciting hate speech against Islam and Muslims.
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They expressed deep concern over the trend of increasing hatred, discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims that has reached an alarming level in many parts of the world, especially Europe.
Anwar and Erdogan both said that they welcome the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 76/254 declaring March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
It stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, civilisation or ethnic group.
They also welcomed the urgent debate during the 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to discuss the alarming rise in premeditated, public acts of religious hatred as seen in the recurrent desecration of the holy Quran; as well as the adoption of the council's resolution defining the burning of holy books as religious hatred.
The leaders also hailed General Assembly Resolution 77/318 on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech adopted on July 25.
The resolution deplores all acts of violence against a person on the basis of religion or belief, and considers any such act directed against their religion's symbols, holy books, places of worship, religious sites and shrines to be in violation of international law.
Erdogan and Anwar also underlined that actions of religious hatred, racism, discrimination and xenophobia pose a threat to peace and incite a culture of violence.
As such, they called on all relevant stakeholders, including governments, to increase efforts to address discrimination, xenophobia, racism and hate speech in line with international human rights.
