"Remarks by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad Chair of OIC Core Group on Combatting Islamophobia/Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN During the Closing Session of the High-Level Event in Commemoration of International Day to Combat Islamophobia (16 March 2026) ***** Co-Chairs, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, I begin by expressing our gratitude to the President of the General Assembly, UN Alliance of Civilizations and the OIC Observer Mission to United Nations for convening this high-level meeting to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. We are thankful to Secretary General Guterres, PGA Ms. Annalena Baerbock, USG Moratinos, OIC Secretary General Hissein Ibrahim Taha, OIC Chair Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz and all distinguished speakers and Member States for their remarks and interventions. 2. It was noted by many speakers that commemoration this year coincided with the holy month of Ramadan and Lent. The SG and many speakers also referred to the conflict, instability and injustice around the world that provided a global backdrop to this discussion. 3. We gathered today not only to commemorate a solemn day, but to reaffirm that no human being should ever be feared, discriminated against, marginalized or persecuted because of their faith. Not just symbolic, today’s discussion offered us an opportunity to reflect on the threat Islamophobia poses to Muslims, and to social harmony as a whole, to express our solidarity with its victims, and to renew our collective resolve to continue endeavours for eliminating this scourge. 4. Four years ago, the General Assembly unanimously adopted landmark resolution 76/254 to observe 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. This day reminds us of the Christchurch mass killings of 15 March 2019 when fifty-one innocent worshippers fell victim to an act of religious hatred. It is a day of somber reflection and remembrance, but also of hope, and a solemn pledge that we will stay committed to rooting out this menace. Message from our leadership – from so many countries around the world – testifies to that commitment. 5. Islamophobia has deep and troubling historical roots. It often stems from ignorance, prejudice, and distorted narratives about Islam and Muslim societies. Intersection of geopolitical tensions, long-running conflicts and situations of foreign occupation, economic inequalities and rapid spread of disinformation, misinformation and hate speech through digital platforms have also allowed Islamophobia to proliferate. In recent years, it has mutated into pernicious forms and manifestations threatening life, dignity, freedom and heritage of Muslims. Desecration of the Holy Quran; demolition of mosques; demonization of Muslims in the history books; bans on the hijab; hate speech, assaults on lives and livelihoods of Muslims, and their ghettoization are some of its vile and visible manifestations. Co-Chairs, 6. The discussions this morning have also underscored that the fight against Islamophobia is not merely a defense of Muslims; it is part of humanity’s broader and enduring struggle against racism, bigotry, xenophobia, intolerance, hatred and discrimination in all their forms and manifestations. It reminds us of a fundamental truth - that all human beings, regardless of faith or background, are entitled to equal dignity, respect and freedom. In this spirit, Member States must take meaningful steps to confront challenge i.e. to identify, prevent and address this challenge: by strengthening domestic legal frameworks to address acts of hatred and discrimination; ensuring that no individual is relegated to second-class status because of their religious identity; by dismantling social and institutional structures that perpetuate exclusion; by raising awareness regarding the growing menace of Islamophobia; combating Islamophobia in digital spaces through regulation and oversight; and safeguarding freedom of religion and belief as a universal and inviolable right. 7. Speakers noted and appreciated the crucial role of the United Nations, which is at the forefront to combat all forms of discrimination and religious intolerance including Islamophobia. General Assembly’s two resolutions in 2022 and 2024 on Islamophobia not only express international community’s political will and commitment to combat this scourge but have also strengthened the international legal and normative architecture. 8. There was strong appreciation for the appointment of H.E. Miguel Angel Moratinos as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. We support the mandate of the Special Envoy and look forward to working with him. In this regard, the early finalization of the UN Plan of Action to Combat Islamophobia is of paramount importance; as it would offer Member States and UN a structured pathway to take practical action to identify Islamophobic trends, raise awareness about Islamophobia, and comprehensively combat its manifestations in a balanced and principled manner. It will be important for the Plan of Action to also devise ways and means of vigilant reporting of Islamophobic events and discourse and keep track of its evolving forms and manifestations. Madam President, 9. History teaches us that intolerance rarely begins with violence; it begins with words - words that normalize prejudice, dehumanize communities, and gradually erode the foundations of peaceful coexistence. The tragedies of the twentieth century remind us that hatred, when ignored or tolerated, can grow into forces that threaten peace, dignity and humanity itself. Islamophobia today is, therefore, not merely a challenge for Muslim communities; it is a warning sign for all societies. When any community is targeted because of its faith or identity, the principles that bind humanity together are weakened. 10. As SG Guterres said, silence in face of this challenge only allows it to spread, the answer to Islamophobia, therefore, cannot be silence, and it cannot be indifference. And it is just not enough to condemn Islamophobia; we must take concrete actions to address it. That entails collective resolve - expressed through education, dialogue, responsible leadership and principled action. If we fail to confront hatred today, we risk allowing prejudice to shape the world of tomorrow. And if we act with unity, courage and conviction, we can ensure that faith is never a reason for fear and that diversity remains a source of strength rather than division. Let this day, therefore, renew our shared commitment to uphold dignity, protect freedom of religion and belief, and build inclusive societies where every person, regardless of faith, can live without fear and with dignity and respect. 11. Dialogue, mutual understanding, tolerance, compassion, solidarity and international cooperation must continue to guide our collective efforts and global partnerships to effectively address this global menace. 12. That concludes my statement as the Chair of OIC Core Group on Combatting Islamophobia. While this was not the place nor my intention to refer to any specific situation or any individual country, it seems that one guilty-conscious country, i.e. our eastern neighbour, finds it difficult to hide its guilt and culpability when it comes to Islamophobia. The Indian representative manifest disrespect towards OIC, its decisions and priorities, not just smacks of arrogance, but a malicious and convoluted mindset, that is so evident. 13. It was expected that India would join us today in condemning Islamophobia and would also brief the participants about the steps it will take to alleviate the plight of millions of Muslims and other religious minorities suffering from the hate-filled extremist Hindutva ideology in its country. 14. India, however, chose to deflect this question and tried to politicize today’s debate. This is a disservice to the victims of Islamophobia and undermines efforts being taken by responsible states of the world to combat this hate-spewing ideology. 15. The fact remains that India has the distinction of being the world’s biggest Islamophobic state, which has turned against its own minorities including Muslims, Christians and others. What stands India apart is that Islamophobia in India is not perpetrated by some fringe elements but under the direct patronage of the Indian state and government. 16. The 17th OIC Report on Islamophobia reveals that India represents most significant concentration of Islamophobic incidents globally, accounting for three-fifths of all documented manifestations. Only a couple of days ago, Muslims of Srinagar in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir were barred from offering Friday prayers in the holy month of Ramadan. This is the 7th year that such restriction has been imposed. Public lynching of Muslims, state sponsored destruction of centuries old mosques to be illegally replaced by the Hindu temple, are but a few examples of Islamophobia in India, so well known to the world. While Muslims constitute the largest minority group suffering from hate crimes, other religious minorities are not spared either. 17. Pakistan calls upon Indian government to distance itself from the Islamophobic incidents and discourse and punish those who commit such abominable acts. India’s progress on this subject, should be judged by its visible action, not the hollow rhetoric and lies its representatives peddle in the international forums. Thank you. "