Saudi Arabia concerned over growing Islamophobia

Cairo: Saudi Arabia has voiced concern over growing Islamophobia and escalating hate speech against Muslims in some parts of the world.

The concern was expressed by the kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Abdullah Bin Yahia Al Mullami during a virtual meeting of ambassadors of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in New York that the UAE permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh headed.

The Saudi diplomat stressed the necessity of confronting “practices of discrimination and racism” against Muslims and persecution they are subjected to, the Saudi news agency SPA reported.

He referred to the Mecca Declaration, released at the end of an Islamic summit hosted in the holy city last year, saying it promotes culture of dialogue and proves Islam’s tolerance.

“The kingdom backs stances of the Islamic countries within the OIC to reject discrimination and racism practised against Muslims in some countries,” Al Muallami said.

Addressing the same meeting was Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Munir Akram, who briefed the conferees on escalation in Islamphobia and hate speech against Muslims in a number of European countries. He cited incidents of discrimination practised by some far-rightist parties in Europe that push for deporting Muslim immigrants amid the global coronavirus pandemic.