Friday, 29 March 2024, 03:10:22 am

"Strict international action must be taken against hate websites dividing humanity"
June 14, 2021

Dr. Masoom Yasinzai (Rector, IIUI):There is no doubt that Islamophobia in the western world is going to do more damage to the peace in the world. The increased Islamophobia trend is alarming and unfortunately some heads of states are also involved in it. Prime Minister Imran Khan in his address at UNGA forum inquired the world about the reasons for hatred for the Muslims and their religion. Prime Minister categorically stated that Islam is a religion of peace and love. If the trend continues then the consequences will be worst and the world will then unable to control it. Pakistan as a responsible state, Pakistan is trying to make the world realize that Islam has nothing to do with the terrorism. The international community must also realize that terrorists have no religion. The leaders of the Muslim world must be united and urge the western leaders to take measures to overcome Islamophobia as no religion has come to spread for hatred. The world powers must intervene to stop the increasing Islamophobia trends. The international community must come forward and ban the websites on social media involved in spreading hatred towards Muslims.

Dr. Zafar Iqbal (Religious Scholar):There are certain laws for freedom of expressions in western world that are open and it is difficult to control the social media. It is unfortunate that every day new sites are published containing blasphemy materials. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority on daily basis receives number of complains in this regard. It is the need of hour to block such sites as per policy guidelines. Few times back, EU representatives gathered and chalked out the sites criticizing their cultures. They visited the CEOs of the web houses and warned them that they will block those sites in their countries if the sites continue to propagate their cultures in negative manner. Prime Minister in his interview also stressed to cope with the challenge of Islamophobia systematically. Pakistan must try to declare the sites consisting of blasphemy material as hate speeches through international forums. Islamophobia must be countered through a focused strategy as social tensions engendered by it posed a risk to vulnerable Muslim migrants and refugees in the West, besides potentially threatening the social cohesion of host communities.

Dr. Muhammad Sajjad (Religious Scholar):The interview of Prime Minister was much motivated and a clear-cut message has been conveyed to the world to take notice of increasing trend of Islamophobia specifically in Western world. At global level it is a misperception that Islamophobia is based on the notion that Muslims threaten the European way of life, values and culture, one way to challenge these ideas is to highlight the many everyday roles Muslims occupy in society. There is need for collective and effective steps to counter the challenge posed by the growing phenomenon of faith-based hatred and violence so as to promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies around the world. Moreover, the tech companies must prevent digital technologies and social media platforms from becoming channels for inflammatory content, incitement and negative stereotyping. All religions call for love, peace, tolerance, freedom of belief and mutual understanding and our religion Islam have also the teaching of love and peace and forbids hatreds.