The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly on measures to combat Islamophobia.
In a statement released on Friday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s strong support for the resolution, which also includes the appointment of a Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Islamophobia.
The Ministry reiterated the Kingdom’s unwavering support for all international efforts aimed at combating extremist ideologies and countering their financing. It emphasized Saudi Arabia’s promotion and adoption of the values of peace, dialogue, and understanding among followers of different faiths and civilizations.
The statement underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering a culture of mutual respect among adherents of various religions, denominations, and sects. It also highlighted the importance of promoting a culture of coexistence among peoples to achieve global peace and prosperity.
On Friday, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution titled “Measures to Combat Islamophobia.”
The resolution came during a meeting held on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. A total of 115 countries voted in favor of the draft resolution presented by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), while 44 countries abstained from voting. No country voted against the resolution.
Among other provisions, the resolution calls for the appointment of a Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Islamophobia.
Prior to the voting, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram, presented the draft resolution, which he said follows up on the first resolution that established the International Day to Combat Islamophobia two years ago.
The resolution condemns any incitement to religious hatred and discrimination, hostility, or violence against Muslims, as evidenced by the increasing incidents of desecration of their holy book and attacks targeting mosques, sites, and shrines.
In its resolution, the General Assembly urges Member States to take the necessary measures to combat religious intolerance, negative stereotypes, hatred, and incitement to violence and its exercise against Muslims and to prohibit by law incitement to violence and its exercise on the basis of religion or belief.
