ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has penned down a letter to CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, demanding a ban on Islamophobic content on the platform.
In his letter, PM Imran demanded Zukerberg to impose a similar ban on Islamophobia and hate against Islam that has been put in place for the Holocaust.
“I am writing to draw your attention to the growing Islamophobia that is encouraging hate, extremism and violence across the world and especially through the use of social media platforms including Facebook,” PM Imran wrote.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI
writes to CEO Facebook Mark Zuckerberg asking for ban on Islamophobic content on Facebook. pic.twitter.com/kMcV1T3Ott— Govt of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 25, 2020
He further wrote, “I appreciate your taking the step to rightly ban any posting that criticizes or questions the Holocaust, which was the culmination of the Nazi pogrom of the Jews in Germany and across Europe as Nazis spread across Europe.”
“However, today we are seeing a similar pogrom against Muslims in different parts of the world. Unfortunately, in some states, Muslims are being denied their citizenship rights and their democratic personal choices from dress to worship,” PM Imran remarked.
The premier also pointed out that the publication of blasphemous cartoons targeting Islam and our Holy Prophet (PBUH) has been allowed in France which will lead to further polarization and marginalization of Muslims in France.
“Given the rampant abuse and vilification of Muslims on social media platforms, I would ask you to place a similar ban on Islamophobia and hate against Islam for Facebook that you have put in place for the Holocaust,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the message of hate must be banned in total – one cannot send a message that while hate messages against some are unacceptable, these are acceptable against others.
