Peace is a pre-requisite for a happy and prosperous life

Either print media or electronic media, full of bad news, killing, torture, wars, conflicts, natural disasters, etc., are happening round the clock in various parts of the world. Some of them are natural disasters like Earthquakes, Floods, volcanoes, Fires, Pandemic, etc., which needed joint efforts to overcome and save precious human lives, irrespective of race, religion, language, ethnicity. However, there are so many human-made disasters in the form of wars, aggressions, subversions, sanctions, etc. Unfortunately, Muslims are the victims of Hu,an-imposed disasters. During the last couple of decades, millions of Muslims are killed, millions were injured, and some of them severe and lifetime disabilities. Millions of Muslims were forced to leave their homes, belongings, and assets, either to take refuge in camps in their own country or migrate to other countries and live miserable lives. Iraq was wrecked completely, Libya was damaged completely, Syria is still under imposed war. Afghanistan suffered imposed war for almost four decades; imposed war on Yemen has killed Muslims. The unrest caused by Arab spring has damaged Muslims, subversion, hybrid wars, aggressions, sanctions are harming Muslims worldwide. Travel bans, strict immigration rules, and putative policies and actions are causing millions of Muslims to suffer. Islamophobia has mentally tortured the Muslim world.

Muslims are marginalized and cornered and then blamed for all evils, while the fact is that Muslims are victims merely and used in the hands of few dominating nations as a cheaper tool. However, the Muslims are around two billion and constitute one-fourth of the world population. There are 57 Muslim countries as sovereign members of the United Nations and possess a significant vote bank in the UN. Most Muslim countries are rich in natural resources, especially Energy – Oil, and Gas, yet are politically divided, weak, and naive. Muslims are backward and could not exploit their natural resources or potential for developments, often victimized and forced to live miserable lives.

Pakistan on Monday joined the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in observing the first-ever ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia.’

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), established September 25, 1969, with its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabis, is a platform of 57 Muslim countries. It is the second-largest organization just after the United Nations. It is responsible for protecting the interests of the Muslim world. 

Pakistan, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, had offered a resolution to designate March 15vas ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’ at the 47th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), held in Niamey, Niger, on 27-28 November 2020.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has been the prominent international voice in raising awareness of the grave consequences of rising systematic Islamophobia and promoting inter-faith harmony.

The CFM unanimously adopted the resolution. The OIC is now working with the international community to commemorate this Day at the global level.

The Foreign Office, in a declaration, said the OIC’s unanimous support for the designation of this Day was an echo of the sentiments of billions of Muslims around the world. Marking this occasion, the OIC Group will hold a High-Level Event in New York on March 17.

“The scourge of Islamophobia, fuelled by populism, hate speech, and lack of knowledge and disinformation, is causing unimaginable suffering to Muslim minorities around the world,” the FO statement added. It said Islamophobia had taken many forms, including, among other things, negative profiling, mob lynchings by cow vigilantes, discriminatory laws, attacks on women for wearing hijabs, ban on minarets, negative propaganda to link, and equate Islam with terrorism.

Muslims respect all other religions and expect reciprocity in return. Islam teaches us “Peace,” and Muslims believe in peace and are willing to contribute their due share in global peace. Peace is pre-requisite for humankind to live a happy and prosperous life.