OIC delegation holds talks with UNGA President on combating Islamophobia

WEB DESK: Representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s dedicated working group on combating prejudice against Muslims held discussions with the current President of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

According to APP, the session took place at UN headquarters and focused on preparations for the upcoming observance of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, scheduled for March 15.

Annalena Baerbock, who chairs the 80th session of the General Assembly, received the delegation from the OIC Core Group on Islamophobia. Also present was Miguel Ángel Moratinos, who is serving as the UN Special Envoy on the issue and heads the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, joined the talks as part of the OIC group. He stressed the significance of the designated day, noting that it originated from a unanimous General Assembly decision through Resolution 76/254.

The ambassador recalled that the initial observance took place in 2023, when Pakistan chaired the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers, followed by commemorations in subsequent years.

Participants exchanged views on approaches for the forthcoming event and explored avenues for broader international engagement in addressing rising hostility and bias directed at Muslim communities worldwide.

The meeting highlighted the day as a powerful expression of global unity in standing against discrimination, stereotypes, and acts of intolerance toward Islam and its followers.

According to information released by Pakistan’s UN mission, no new decisions or formal commitments emerged from the meeting. The dialogue nevertheless reflects ongoing multilateral efforts to promote tolerance, mutual understanding, and collective action against religious discrimination.

The engagement comes as the international community prepares to mark the annual observance, which aims to raise awareness and encourage concrete steps to counter Islamophobia across societies.