PM Imran urges Muslim states to counter Islamophobia collectively

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has written a letter to the leaders of the Muslim countries, urging them to act collectively to counter the growing Islamophobia in Western states.

Prime Minister Imran Khan shared the letter on his Facebook account on Monday that said that there is a need for collective action to counter the growing trend of Islamophobia.

Muslim states should act collectively to counter the growing Islamophobia in non-Muslim states, especially Western states causing increasing concern amongst Muslims the world over, he added.

The PM said, “Today, we are confronting a growing concern and restlessness amongst our Ummah as they see the rising tide of Islamophobia and attacks, through ridicule and mockery on our beloved Prophet (PBUH) in the Western world, especially Europe.”

In Europe, mosques were being closed and Muslim women being denied their right to wear clothing of their choice in the public domain, whereas nuns and priests continued to display their religious clothing, he mentioned.

He said the statements at the leadership level and incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran were a reflection of increasing Islamophobia, spreading in European countries where sizeable Muslim populations resided.

“I believe the leadership in these countries, often acts out of lack of understanding of the intrinsic deep passion, love, and devotion Muslims all over the world have for their Prophet (PBUH) and their divine book the Holy Quran,” the premier said.

Upsetting actions result in reactions from Muslims as they see their faith and their beloved Prophet targeted which results in further discriminatory actions by governments against Muslim populations in their states, resulting in the marginalization of Muslims and the creating of space for radical, far-right groups to exploit the situation, he observed.

PM Imran Khan said marginalization was leading to radicalization and this vicious cycle continued to create increasing space for extremists on all sides.

He mentioned, “In this environment, it is incumbent on us as leaders of the Muslim world to collectively take the lead in breaking this cycle of hate and extremism, which nurtures violence and even death. We, as leaders of Muslim polities, must take the initiative to call for an end to this cycle of hate and violence.”

The PM stated it is the responsibility of the Muslim leaders to raise collective voice and explain to the leadership of the non-Muslim, especially western states, the deep-seated reverence and love all Muslims feel for their divine book, the Holy Quran, and for Prophet (PBUH).

“It is time to reach out to “the other” and end cycles of violence bred of ignorance and hate. We must explain to the Western world that value systems differ for different social and religious and ethnic groups in the world,” he said.