UNITED NATIONS (Dispatches) -- Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations says the country backs the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s endeavors towards fighting Islamophobia.
Majid Takht-Ravanchi made the remarks to the UN General Assembly after the body voted in favor of a resolution naming March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Iran led the talks that culminated in the development alongside Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Indonesia.
“By marking this occasion, we can generate a better understanding of Islam and Islamic principles,” the envoy said.
“The resolution proves our determination to effectively and constructively confront Islamophobia as one of the main challenges facing the international community,” he added.
Takht-Ravanchi urged all UN members to act on their responsibilities and legal commitments in this regard, thus contributing to the promotion of common values, peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and mutual understanding throughout the whole world.
“Over the past decades, anti-Islam and anti-Muslim agitation have been chronically reinforced by some media outlets, politicians, influencers, and also across the academic discourses,” he noted.
It is highly important for the UN members to adopt a unified stance in the face of instances of Islamophobia, such as travel bans against Muslims, hijab bans, bans on Muslim symbols, and “application of such despicable and ignorant terms such as ‘Islamic terrorism’,” the ambassador said.
“It is our conviction that terrorism, in all its forms and representations, cannot and should not be attributed to any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group,” he added.