GENERAL STATEMENT BY
MR AZRIL BIN ABD AZIZ
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
ON AGENDA ITEM 16: CULTURE OF PEACE -
FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE
RESOLUTION INTERNATIONAL DAY TO COMBAT ISLAMOPHOBIA (A/76/L.41)
15 MARCH 2022, NEW YORK
Mr. President.
Islamophobia is not a new phenomenon. Muslims around the world have faced racism, religious discrimination, xenophobia and have been at the receiving end for many years. This intensified in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, where Islamophobia was at an increase. Fuelled by hate speech, misinformation and unfounded suspicions, Muslims around the world faced various forms of hostilities and discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the worse. Sadly as we see communities around the world struggling in the face of waves of COVID-19 variants, Muslims also faced a surge in Islamophobia during the pandemic. The waves of Islamophobia have never ebbed.
Malaysia condemns Islamophobia. It is a perversion of the truth. It is the manifestation of intolerance that feeds onto extremism. Islamophobia is clearly a form of racism and religious discrimination. We are concerned with the rise in Islamophobia, religious intolerance and stigmatization faced by Muslims particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the globe.
Malaysia calls upon all individuals, organisations, and countries to reject Islamophobia. We continue to urge all countries to refrain from all policies, statements and practices associating Islam with terrorism, extremism or dangers posing a threat to society. Malaysia will continue to promote mutual respect among religions and prevent the spread of misleading ideologies or teachings and practices that deviates from Islam's true meaning.
Mr. President,
It is important that we work together to combat Islamophobia and promote harmonious relations and peaceful co-existence among our people of different faiths and convictions and in the context of the diverse global community. Malaysia acknowledges the individual right to exercise freedom of speech and expression as fundamental human rights. However, we strongly disagree with the notion that defamation of religion is not an infringement of human rights. Defamation of any religion constitutes a derogation of the right of belief, as it is intimately linked to incitement of racial and religious hatred. My delegation continues to underscore that rights should not be in competition with one another, nor should one right be seen as superior to another.
History and the world today, reminds us of the dangers of racial discrimination, xenophobia and prejudices. The spread of hate through speech and media, as well as through propaganda messaging and cartoons to disparage, alienate and target a group of people based on their race and faith is nothing new. The international community must push for greater efforts to combat and eliminate Islamophobia, racism, intolerance, hate speech and other prejudices. Such bigotry has no place in the pluralistic society today and must be countered. As such, we celebrate the adoption of this Resolution and the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, by consensus. It is indeed timely, if not decades late.
Mr. President,
The adoption of this important resolution does not signal the end in the efforts to counter Islamophobia. It is just the beginning. Islam a religion of peace and Malaysia will not rest in the fight against ignorance and the continuing prejudices against Islam and Muslims.
The UN Charter in its Preamble reminds us to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person. The Charter also reminds us to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours. To achieve this, we must protect inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms of all peoples. We must protect those that are oppressed, under subjugation and whose human rights are violated. We must intensify efforts to enhance and promote the culture of peace. As a family of nations, we need to create a world that believes in a culture of inclusivity and shared prosperity. Only then will the United Nations live up to its raison d’etre.
I thank you, Mr. President.