Delivered By: Ms. Sarah Alawadhi, Second Secretary
Mr. President,
I wish to thank you for organising this important session and to speakers for their invaluable statements.
The United Arab Emirates aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Arab Group and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
We commend Pakistan’s efforts for introducing the resolution that established this International Day to Combat Islamophobia in 2022.
This day is a stark reminder of the urgent need to tackle Islamophobia and intolerance worldwide, particularly in light of the spread of this phenomenon, and its fueling of division and hostility.
It is regrettable that Islamophobia has been exploited by extremists online and in social media platforms, leading to hatred and, in some cases, to violence.
Holy books and religious sites have been desecrated.
The UAE condemns any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, whether against Muslims, or any other religion.
In this regard, we emphasize the need to take urgent actions to counter this dangerous phenomenon.
In this context, I would like to propose three key recommendations:
First, we must strengthen UN efforts to address Islamophobia.
The adoption of resolution 78/264 by the General Assembly on ‘Measures to Combat Islamophobia’ was a significant step forward, signaling the international community’s commitment to concrete action. In this regard, we welcome the Secretary General’s nomination of H.E. Miguel Moratinos as the Special Envoy on Islamophobia. However, the UAE urges the swift approval of financial resources to ensure the immediate implementation of the resolution, given its importance in effectively combating this destructive phenomenon.
Second, promoting tolerance and peaceful co-existence is key to preventing Islamophobia.
Security Council Resolution 2686 on ‘Tolerance, peace and Security’, recognizes hate speech, extremism, and related forms of intolerance as threat multipliers to peace and security.
It is also the first Security Council resolution to address Islamophobia, antisemitism and Chistianiaphobia and calls for a coordinated UN and societal approach to promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence in preventing conflict. We urge all stakeholders to implement this resolution.
Third, constructive interreligious and intercultural dialogue is crucial in addressing the phenomenon of Islamophobia.
The Document on Human Fraternity, signed by the Pope and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi in 2019reflects the commitment of the UAE to dialogue as the foundation for peaceful coexistence.
All of us should continue supporting efforts that dismantle misconceptions and foster mutual understanding and respect among all faiths and cultures.
Finally, Mr. President, combating Islamophobia requires us to make greater efforts within the United Nations and globally. My country remains committed to achieve this goal.
Thank you.