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World can't deny immense contributions of Islam, Muslims: UN Chief

In a fiery speech on International Day to Combat Islamophobia, UN Secretary General António Guterres while listing the iconic Muslim and Islamic figures warned that the world is infected by a ‘vicious plague that represents a complete denial and ignorance of Islam and Muslims, and their undeniable contributions.’ Read More

Tuesday March 19, 2024 3:44 PM, ummid.com News Network

United Nations: In a fiery speech on International Day to Combat Islamophobia, UN Secretary General António Guterres while listing the iconic Muslim and Islamic figures warned that the world is infected by a ‘vicious plague that represents a complete denial and ignorance of Islam and Muslims, and their undeniable contributions'.

In a strong appeal to the world to unite against ‘the plague of Islamophobia’, the UN Secretary General without mincing words said Muslims have been an important source of culture, philosophy, scholarship and science for centuries.

“For nearly two billion Muslims across the world, Islam is a pillar of faith and worship uniting people in every corner of the globe. And let us remember that it is also a pillar of our shared history”, he said.

Reminding the world about the huge contribution of Muslims in the field of Science, Technology and Medicine, Literature, Art, Music and Architecture, the UN Secretary General specifically mentioned the names of Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Al-Khwarizmi and Averroe (Ibn Rushd).

“From the enormous influence of Avicenna, the great Physician and Philosopher whose interpretations of Plato and Aristotle helped shaped the development of Western European philosophy.”

“To the Muslim Mathematician and Astronomer Al-Khwarizmi, responsible for delivering Hindu-Arabic numerals and the father of algebra.”

“To the ‘Father of Rationalism’, Averroes, whose ground-breaking commentaries bridged Islamic and Western thought.”

“To the countless contributions of Muslims across every field — from science, technology and medicine, to literature, art, music and architecture. For centuries, Muslims have been a crucial source of culture, philosophy, scholarship and science”, he said.

Secretary General António Guterres was addressing the UN General Assembly (UNGA) gathered to commemorate the 'International Day to Combat Islamophobia' observed every year on March 15 following a UN General Assembly resolution passed in 2022.

'International Day to Combat Islamophobia'

The resolution to observe March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia was adopted in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, that left 51 people dead on this day in 2019.

The UN General Assembly on March 15, 2024 passed another resolution that called upon the world to unite against rampant Islamophobia.

The resolution, tabled in the UN General Assembly by Pakistan, calls for, among other things, concerted action to fight the ongoing violence against Muslims in various parts of the world and requests the UN Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia.

In his address to the UN General Assembly on International Day to Combat Islamophobia March 15, the UN Secretary General also said that Muslims around the world are subjected to hate and bigotry coming in a number of forms.

“That (anti-Muslim hate and bigotry) can come in many forms. Structural and systemic discrimination, socio-economic exclusion, unequal immigration policies and unwarranted surveillance and profiling, restrictions in accessing citizenship, education, employment and justice”, the UN Secretary General said.

“These and other institutional barriers violate our shared commitment to human rights and dignity”, he said.

“They also perpetuate a vicious cycle of exclusion, poverty and disenfranchisement that echoes across generations”, he added.

'Hate a tool for political gain'

Noting that anti-Muslim hate and exclusionary policies are being exploiting for political gain, the Secretary General said:

“The purveyors of hate speech are misusing the most powerful megaphone in history to amplify and spread their despicable ideologies - Social Media.”

“Today’s event reminds us that we all have a responsibility to confront and root-out the scourge of anti-Muslim bigotry. Political leaders must lead the way, and foster social cohesion, not fear”, he said.

“Governments must condemn inflammatory discourse and safeguard religious freedom — in particular for minorities”, he added.

Watch The Full Speech Below

 

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