Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday did what he loves doing -- unnecessarily targetting India. He, in his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), termed New Delhi as a 'state sponsor' of Islamophobia.

The good&nbsp;part was India's delegate to the UNGA, Mijito Vinito, left the UNGA hall as soon as the recorded address of Khan's began playing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-delegate-walks-out-of-unga-hall-over-pak-pms-usual-kashmir-diatribe-330306">Also read |&nbsp;India's delegate walks out of UNGA hall over Pak PM's usual Kashmir diatribe</a>

<img alt="Indian delegate leaves" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8ea7b61e-bf05-4538-95b0-cab862f17a2d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Indian%20delegate%20leaves.jpg" />

"Muslims continue to be targeted with impunity in many countries. Our shrines are being destroyed; our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) insulted; the Holy Quran burnt – and all this in the name of freedom of speech," Khan said in his unsual demeanour, adding, "and the one country in the world today where, I am sad to say, the state sponsors Islamophobia, is India. The reason behind this is RSS ideology that unfortunately rules India today."

To this end, Khan urged the Assembly to declare an “International Day to Combat Islamophobia” and build a coalition to fight this scourge.

He continued, "This extremist ideology was founded in 1920s. The RSS founding fathers were inspired by the Nazis and they adopted their concepts of racial purity and supremacy. While the Nazis hate was directed at the Jews, the RSS directs it towards the Muslims and to a lesser extent towards the Christians."

"They believe that India is exclusively for Hindus and others are not equal citizens. The secularism of Gandhi and Nehru has been replaced by the dream of creating a Hindu Rashtra by subjugating, even cleansing India’s 200 million Muslims and other minorities."

"In 1992, the RSS destroyed the Babri Mosque; in 2002, some 2000 Muslims were slaughtered in Gujarat, and this was under the watch of Chief Minister Modi; and in 2007, over 50 Muslims were burnt alive by RSS arsonists aboard the Samjhota Express Train.&nbsp;

"The Hindutva ideology is set to marginalize almost 300 million human beings – Muslims, Christians and Sikhs. This is unprecedented in history and this does not augur well for the future of India as we all know that marginalisation of human beings leads to their radicalization. "

Imran Khan even appropriated the ill-famous Tablighi Jamaat episode and abused it for his own purpose. He said, "Muslims were falsely blamed, vilified and victimised for spreading the coronavirus. They were denied medical attention on many occasions, their businesses were boycotted."

Nothing is true.

And then came, his more-than-usual Kashmir diatribe.

"For over 72 years, India has illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the wishes of the Kashmiri people, and in blatant violation of the resolutions of the Security Council and indeed its own commitments to the people of Kashmir," he said.

"On 5th August last year, India illegally and unilaterally sought to change the status of the occupied territories and deployed additional troops, bringing the total number to 900,000, to impose a military siege on 8 million Kashmiris. All Kashmiri political leaders were incarcerated; about 13,000 Kashmiri youth were abducted and thousands tortured; a complete curfew was imposed, accompanied by a total communications blackout.&nbsp;

"The international community must investigate these grave violations and prosecute the Indian civil and military personnel involved in state terrorism and serious crimes against humanity, being perpetrated, I am sad to say, with complete impunity."

He continued, "The brave Kashmiri people will never submit to Indian occupation and oppression. Their struggle is indigenous. They are fighting for a just cause and generation after generation have laid down their lives to rid themselves of Indian occupation. 
The government and people of Pakistan are committed to standing by and supporting their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their legitimate struggle for self-determination.&nbsp;

"In order to divert attention from its illegal actions and atrocities in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India is playing a dangerous game of upping the military ante against Pakistan in a nuclearised environment.&nbsp;

"There will be no durable peace and stability in South Asia until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved on the basis of international legitimacy. Kashmir has been rightly described as a 'nuclear flash point'.

Pakistan has always called for a peaceful solution. To this end, India must rescind the measures it has instituted since 5 August 2019, end its military siege and other gross human rights violations, and agree to resolve the Jammu &amp; Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and of course the wishes of the people of Kashmir."

Pakistan's false claims did not stop here. The prime minister said Islamabad wanted a peaceful solution in Afghanistan too.

"I have consistently maintained over the past two decades that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. The only way forward was and is a political settlement which involves the full spectrum of Afghanistan’s political actors," he said.

Khan added, "Pakistan is deeply gratified that it has fulfilled its part of the responsibility. The Afghan leaders must now seize this historic opportunity to achieve reconciliation and restore peace in their war-torn country." 
&nbsp; 
Khan batted for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.&nbsp;

He said, "Pakistan continues to support a two-state solution – in line with the UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, within the internationally agreed parameters, and they are ; pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the Capital of a united, contiguous and independent Palestinian state."

Imran Khan said he considered Pakistan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic as a success story.

"However, we are still not out of the woods, like no country is out of the woods today," he added.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday did what he loves doing -- unnecessarily targetting India. He, in his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), termed New Delhi as a 'state sponsor' of Islamophobia.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday did what he loves doing -- unnecessarily targetting India. He, in his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), termed New Delhi as a 'state sponsor' of Islamophobia. The good part was India's delegate to the UNGA, Mijito Vinito, left the UNGA hall as soon as the recorded address of Khan's began playing. Also read | India's delegate walks out of UNGA hall over Pak PM's usual Kashmir diatribe "Muslims continue to be targeted with impunity in many countries. Our shrines are being destroyed; our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) insulted; the Holy Quran burnt – and all this in the name of freedom of speech," Khan said in his unsual demeanour, adding, "and the one country in the world today where, I am sad to say, the state sponsors Islamophobia, is India. The reason behind this is RSS ideology that unfortunately rules India today." To this end, Khan urged the Assembly to declare an “International Day to Combat Islamophobia” and build a coalition to fight this scourge. He continued, "This extremist ideology was founded in 1920s. The RSS founding fathers were inspired by the Nazis and they adopted their concepts of racial purity and supremacy. While the Nazis hate was directed at the Jews, the RSS directs it towards the Muslims and to a lesser extent towards the Christians." "They believe that India is exclusively for Hindus and others are not equal citizens. The secularism of Gandhi and Nehru has been replaced by the dream of creating a Hindu Rashtra by subjugating, even cleansing India’s 200 million Muslims and other minorities." "In 1992, the RSS destroyed the Babri Mosque; in 2002, some 2000 Muslims were slaughtered in Gujarat, and this was under the watch of Chief Minister Modi; and in 2007, over 50 Muslims were burnt alive by RSS arsonists aboard the Samjhota Express Train. "The Hindutva ideology is set to marginalize almost 300 million human beings – Muslims, Christians and Sikhs. This is unprecedented in history and this does not augur well for the future of India as we all know that marginalisation of human beings leads to their radicalization. " Imran Khan even appropriated the ill-famous Tablighi Jamaat episode and abused it for his own purpose. He said, "Muslims were falsely blamed, vilified and victimised for spreading the coronavirus. They were denied medical attention on many occasions, their businesses were boycotted." Nothing is true. And then came, his more-than-usual Kashmir diatribe. "For over 72 years, India has illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the wishes of the Kashmiri people, and in blatant violation of the resolutions of the Security Council and indeed its own commitments to the people of Kashmir," he said. "On 5th August last year, India illegally and unilaterally sought to change the status of the occupied territories and deployed additional troops, bringing the total number to 900,000, to impose a military siege on 8 million Kashmiris. All Kashmiri political leaders were incarcerated; about 13,000 Kashmiri youth were abducted and thousands tortured; a complete curfew was imposed, accompanied by a total communications blackout. "The international community must investigate these grave violations and prosecute the Indian civil and military personnel involved in state terrorism and serious crimes against humanity, being perpetrated, I am sad to say, with complete impunity." He continued, "The brave Kashmiri people will never submit to Indian occupation and oppression. Their struggle is indigenous. They are fighting for a just cause and generation after generation have laid down their lives to rid themselves of Indian occupation. The government and people of Pakistan are committed to standing by and supporting their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their legitimate struggle for self-determination. "In order to divert attention from its illegal actions and atrocities in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India is playing a dangerous game of upping the military ante against Pakistan in a nuclearised environment. "There will be no durable peace and stability in South Asia until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved on the basis of international legitimacy. Kashmir has been rightly described as a 'nuclear flash point'. Pakistan has always called for a peaceful solution. To this end, India must rescind the measures it has instituted since 5 August 2019, end its military siege and other gross human rights violations, and agree to resolve the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and of course the wishes of the people of Kashmir." Pakistan's false claims did not stop here. The prime minister said Islamabad wanted a peaceful solution in Afghanistan too. "I have consistently maintained over the past two decades that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. The only way forward was and is a political settlement which involves the full spectrum of Afghanistan’s political actors," he said. Khan added, "Pakistan is deeply gratified that it has fulfilled its part of the responsibility. The Afghan leaders must now seize this historic opportunity to achieve reconciliation and restore peace in their war-torn country." Khan batted for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. He said, "Pakistan continues to support a two-state solution – in line with the UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, within the internationally agreed parameters, and they are ; pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the Capital of a united, contiguous and independent Palestinian state." Imran Khan said he considered Pakistan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic as a success story. "However, we are still not out of the woods, like no country is out of the woods today," he added.

Pak PM targets India at UNGA, terms it 'state sponsor' of Islamophobia

A car passed, the driver's window rolled down and the man spat an epithet at two little girls wearing their hijabs: "Terrorist!"

It was 2001, mere weeks after the twin towers at the World Trade Center fell, and 10-year-old Shahana Hanif and her younger sister were walking to the local mosque from their Brooklyn home.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trial-of-accused-911-mastermind-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-restarts-days-before-attacks-20th-anniversary-411259">Trial of accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed restarts, days before attack's 20th anniversary</a>

Unsure, afraid, the girls ran.

As the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks approaches, Hanif can still recall the shock of the moment, her confusion over how anyone could look at her, a child, and see a threat.

"It's not a nice, kind word. It means violence, it means dangerous. It is meant to shock whoever ... Is on the receiving end of it,"&nbsp;she says.

But the incident also spurred a determination to speak out for herself and others that has helped get her to where she is today: a community organizer strongly favoured to win a seat on the New York City Council in the upcoming municipal election.

Like Hanif, other young American Muslims have grown up under the shadow of 9/11. Many have faced hostility and surveillance, mistrust and suspicion, questions about their Muslim faith and doubts over their Americanness.

They've also found ways forward, ways to fight back against bias, to organize, to craft nuanced personal narratives about their identities. In the process, they've built bridges, challenged stereotypes and carved out new spaces for themselves.

There is "this sense of being Muslim as a kind of important identity marker, regardless of your relationship with Islam as a faith,"&nbsp;says Eman Abdelhadi, a sociologist at The University of Chicago who studies Muslim communities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-dogs-of-911-their-failed-searches-for-life-helped-sustain-it-411164">The dogs of 9/11: Their failed searches for life helped sustain it</a>

"That's been one of the main effects in people's lives,&nbsp;it has shaped the ways the community has developed."

&nbsp;A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted ahead of the 9/11 anniversary found that 53 per cent of Americans have unfavourable views toward Islam, compared with 42 per cent&nbsp;who have favourable ones. This stands in contrast to Americans' opinions about Christianity and Judaism, for which most respondents expressed favourable views.

Mistrust and suspicion of Muslims didn't start with 9/11, but the attacks dramatically intensified those animosities. 
Accustomed to being ignored or targeted by low-level harassment, the country's wide-ranging and diverse Muslim communities were foisted into the spotlight, says Youssef Chouhoud, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University in Virginia.

"Your sense of who you were was becoming more formed, not just Muslim but American Muslim,"&nbsp;he says.

"What distinguished you as an American Muslim? Could you be fully both, or did you have to choose? There was a lot of grappling with what that meant."&nbsp;In Hanif's case, there was no blueprint to navigate the complexities of that time.

"Fifth-grader me wasn't naive or too young to know Muslims are in danger,"&nbsp;she later wrote in an essay about the aftermath of 9/11. "...Flashing an American flag from our first-floor windows didn't make me more American. Born in Brooklyn didn't make me more American."

A young Hanif gathered neighbourhood friends, and an older cousin helped them write a letter to then-President George W. Bush asking for protection.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-911-a-day-or-is-it-an-era-411151">Is 9/11 a day, or is it an Era?</a>

"We knew," she says, "that we would become like warriors of this community." But being warriors often carries a price, with wounds that linger.

Ishaq Pathan, 26, recalls the time a boy told him he seemed angry and wondered if he was going to blow up their Connecticut school.&nbsp;He remembers the helplessness he felt when he was taken aside at an airport for additional questioning upon returning to the United States after a college semester in Morocco.

The agent looked through his belongings, including the laptop where he kept a private journal and started reading it. 
"I remember being like, Hey, do you have to read that?"&nbsp;Pathan says. The agent 'just looks at me like, You know, I can read anything on your computer. I'm entitled to anything here.' And at that point, I remember having tears in my eyes. I was completely and utterly powerless."&nbsp;Pathan couldn't accept it.

"You go to school with other people of different backgrounds and you realize ... What the promise of the United States is,"&nbsp;he says. "And when you see it not living up to that promise, then I think it instils in us a sense of wanting to help and fix that."&nbsp;He now works as the San Francisco Bay Area director for the nonprofit Islamic Networks Group, where he hopes to help a younger generation grow confident in their Muslim identity.

Pathan recently chatted with a group of boys about their summer activities. At times, the boys ate watermelon or played on a trampoline. At other moments, the talk turned serious: What would they do if a student pretended to blow himself up while yelling "Allahu akbar,"&nbsp;or "God is great"? What can they do about stereotypical depictions of Muslims on TV?

"I had always viewed 9/11 as probably one of the most pivotal moments of my life and of the lives of Americans across the board,"&nbsp;Pathan says.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-911-changed-air-travel-more-security-less-privacy-411141">How 9/11 changed air travel: More security, less privacy</a>

"The aftermath of it ... Is what pushed me to do what I do today."

That aftermath has also helped motivate Shukri Olow to do what she is doing;&nbsp;run for office. Born in Somalia, Olow fled the civil war with her family and lived in refugee camps in Kenya for years before coming to the United States when she was 10.

She found a home in a vibrant public housing complex in the city of Kent, south of Seattle. There, residents from different countries communicated across language and cultural barriers, borrowing salt from each other or watching one another's kids. Olow felt she flourished in that environment.

Then 9/11 happened. She recalls feeling confused when a teacher asked her, "What are your people doing?"&nbsp;But she also remembers others who said that "this isn't our fault... And we need to make sure that you're safe."

In a 2017 Pew Research Center survey of US&nbsp;Muslims, nearly half of respondents said they experienced at least one instance of religious discrimination within the year before; yet 49 per cent said someone expressed support for them because of their religion in the previous year.

Overwhelmingly, the study found respondents proud to be both Muslim and American. For some, including Olow, there were occasional identity crises growing up. 
'Who am I?',&nbsp;which I think is what many young people kind of go through in life in general,"&nbsp;she says. "But for those of us who live at the intersection of anti-Blackness and Islamophobia ... It was really hard."

But her experiences from that time also helped form her identity. She is now seeking a seat on the King County Council.

"There are many young people who have multiple identities who have felt that they don't belong here, that they are not welcomed here,"&nbsp;she says. "I was one of those young people. And so, I try to do what I can to make sure that more of us know that this is our nation, too."

After 9/11, some American Muslims chose to dispel misconceptions about their faith by building personal connections. They shared coffee or broke bread with strangers as they fielded myriad questions:&nbsp;from how Islam views women and Jesus to how to combat extremism.

Mansoor Shams has travelled across the US&nbsp;With a sign that reads: "I'm Muslim and a US&nbsp;Marine, ask anything."&nbsp;It's part of the 39-year-old's efforts to teach others about his faith and counter hate through dialogue.

Shams, who served in the Marines from 2000 to 2004, was called names like "Taliban,"&nbsp;"terrorist"&nbsp;and "Osama bin Laden"&nbsp;by some of his fellow Marines after 9/11.

One of his most memorable interactions, he says, was at Liberty University in Virginia, where he spoke in 2019 to students of the Christian institution. Some, he says, still call him with questions about Islam.

"There's this mutual love and respect,"&nbsp;he says.&nbsp;

Shams wishes his current work wasn't needed but feels a responsibility to share a counternarrative he says many Americans don't know.

A car passed, the driver's window rolled down and the man spat an epithet at two little girls wearing their hijabs: "Terrorist!" It was 2001, mere weeks after the twin towers at the World Trade Center fell, and 10-year-old Shahana Hanif and her younger sister were walking to the local mosque from their Brooklyn home.

A car passed, the driver's window rolled down and the man spat an epithet at two little girls wearing their hijabs: "Terrorist!" It was 2001, mere weeks after the twin towers at the World Trade Center fell, and 10-year-old Shahana Hanif and her younger sister were walking to the local mosque from their Brooklyn home. Also read | Trial of accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed restarts, days before attack's 20th anniversary Unsure, afraid, the girls ran. As the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks approaches, Hanif can still recall the shock of the moment, her confusion over how anyone could look at her, a child, and see a threat. "It's not a nice, kind word. It means violence, it means dangerous. It is meant to shock whoever ... Is on the receiving end of it," she says. But the incident also spurred a determination to speak out for herself and others that has helped get her to where she is today: a community organizer strongly favoured to win a seat on the New York City Council in the upcoming municipal election. Like Hanif, other young American Muslims have grown up under the shadow of 9/11. Many have faced hostility and surveillance, mistrust and suspicion, questions about their Muslim faith and doubts over their Americanness. They've also found ways forward, ways to fight back against bias, to organize, to craft nuanced personal narratives about their identities. In the process, they've built bridges, challenged stereotypes and carved out new spaces for themselves. There is "this sense of being Muslim as a kind of important identity marker, regardless of your relationship with Islam as a faith," says Eman Abdelhadi, a sociologist at The University of Chicago who studies Muslim communities. Also read | The dogs of 9/11: Their failed searches for life helped sustain it "That's been one of the main effects in people's lives, it has shaped the ways the community has developed." A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted ahead of the 9/11 anniversary found that 53 per cent of Americans have unfavourable views toward Islam, compared with 42 per cent who have favourable ones. This stands in contrast to Americans' opinions about Christianity and Judaism, for which most respondents expressed favourable views. Mistrust and suspicion of Muslims didn't start with 9/11, but the attacks dramatically intensified those animosities. Accustomed to being ignored or targeted by low-level harassment, the country's wide-ranging and diverse Muslim communities were foisted into the spotlight, says Youssef Chouhoud, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University in Virginia. "Your sense of who you were was becoming more formed, not just Muslim but American Muslim," he says. "What distinguished you as an American Muslim? Could you be fully both, or did you have to choose? There was a lot of grappling with what that meant." In Hanif's case, there was no blueprint to navigate the complexities of that time. "Fifth-grader me wasn't naive or too young to know Muslims are in danger," she later wrote in an essay about the aftermath of 9/11. "...Flashing an American flag from our first-floor windows didn't make me more American. Born in Brooklyn didn't make me more American." A young Hanif gathered neighbourhood friends, and an older cousin helped them write a letter to then-President George W. Bush asking for protection. Also read | Is 9/11 a day, or is it an Era? "We knew," she says, "that we would become like warriors of this community." But being warriors often carries a price, with wounds that linger. Ishaq Pathan, 26, recalls the time a boy told him he seemed angry and wondered if he was going to blow up their Connecticut school. He remembers the helplessness he felt when he was taken aside at an airport for additional questioning upon returning to the United States after a college semester in Morocco. The agent looked through his belongings, including the laptop where he kept a private journal and started reading it. "I remember being like, Hey, do you have to read that?" Pathan says. The agent 'just looks at me like, You know, I can read anything on your computer. I'm entitled to anything here.' And at that point, I remember having tears in my eyes. I was completely and utterly powerless." Pathan couldn't accept it. "You go to school with other people of different backgrounds and you realize ... What the promise of the United States is," he says. "And when you see it not living up to that promise, then I think it instils in us a sense of wanting to help and fix that." He now works as the San Francisco Bay Area director for the nonprofit Islamic Networks Group, where he hopes to help a younger generation grow confident in their Muslim identity. Pathan recently chatted with a group of boys about their summer activities. At times, the boys ate watermelon or played on a trampoline. At other moments, the talk turned serious: What would they do if a student pretended to blow himself up while yelling "Allahu akbar," or "God is great"? What can they do about stereotypical depictions of Muslims on TV? "I had always viewed 9/11 as probably one of the most pivotal moments of my life and of the lives of Americans across the board," Pathan says. Also read | How 9/11 changed air travel: More security, less privacy "The aftermath of it ... Is what pushed me to do what I do today." That aftermath has also helped motivate Shukri Olow to do what she is doing; run for office. Born in Somalia, Olow fled the civil war with her family and lived in refugee camps in Kenya for years before coming to the United States when she was 10. She found a home in a vibrant public housing complex in the city of Kent, south of Seattle. There, residents from different countries communicated across language and cultural barriers, borrowing salt from each other or watching one another's kids. Olow felt she flourished in that environment. Then 9/11 happened. She recalls feeling confused when a teacher asked her, "What are your people doing?" But she also remembers others who said that "this isn't our fault... And we need to make sure that you're safe." In a 2017 Pew Research Center survey of US Muslims, nearly half of respondents said they experienced at least one instance of religious discrimination within the year before; yet 49 per cent said someone expressed support for them because of their religion in the previous year. Overwhelmingly, the study found respondents proud to be both Muslim and American. For some, including Olow, there were occasional identity crises growing up. 'Who am I?', which I think is what many young people kind of go through in life in general," she says. "But for those of us who live at the intersection of anti-Blackness and Islamophobia ... It was really hard." But her experiences from that time also helped form her identity. She is now seeking a seat on the King County Council. "There are many young people who have multiple identities who have felt that they don't belong here, that they are not welcomed here," she says. "I was one of those young people. And so, I try to do what I can to make sure that more of us know that this is our nation, too." After 9/11, some American Muslims chose to dispel misconceptions about their faith by building personal connections. They shared coffee or broke bread with strangers as they fielded myriad questions: from how Islam views women and Jesus to how to combat extremism. Mansoor Shams has travelled across the US With a sign that reads: "I'm Muslim and a US Marine, ask anything." It's part of the 39-year-old's efforts to teach others about his faith and counter hate through dialogue. Shams, who served in the Marines from 2000 to 2004, was called names like "Taliban," "terrorist" and "Osama bin Laden" by some of his fellow Marines after 9/11. One of his most memorable interactions, he says, was at Liberty University in Virginia, where he spoke in 2019 to students of the Christian institution. Some, he says, still call him with questions about Islam. "There's this mutual love and respect," he says. Shams wishes his current work wasn't needed but feels a responsibility to share a counternarrative he says many Americans don't know.

Two decades after 9/11, Muslim Americans still fighting bias

Canadian authorities have charged the suspect behind an attack in which a Muslim family was mowed down by a pick-up truck with terrorism, prosecutors said Monday in court.

Four members of the Afzaal family, a man and his wife, their teenage daughter and his mother,&nbsp;were out for a walk in their London, Ontario neighborhood when a truck driver drove into them on purpose, according to authorities.

Nathaniel Veltman, 20, had already been charged last week with four counts of premeditated murder and one of attempted murder. The attack was denounced as a "terrorist" act by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland reacted to the new charges afterward, saying: "It is really important for us to name it as an act of terror ... and it is important for us identify the terrible threat that white supremacism poses to Canada and to Canadians."

The attack sparked outrage across Canada, with politicians from all sides condemning the crime, spurring growing calls to take action to curb hate crime and Islamophobia.&nbsp;

People in London, Ontario marched about 7 kilometers (4.4 miles) from the spot where the family was struck down to a nearby mosque, the site close to where Veltman was arrested by police. 
 
Some carried placards with messages reading 'Hate has no home here', 'Love over hate'.&nbsp;Similar events were held in other cities in Ontario, Canada's most populous province.

It was the worst attack against Canadian Muslims since a man gunned down six members of a Quebec City mosque in 2017.

So far, few details have emerged that would shed light on why police say it was a pre-meditated, hate-motivated crime. Veltman is due in court again on June 21.

Canadian authorities have charged the suspect behind an attack in which a Muslim family was mowed down by a pick-up truck with terrorism, prosecutors said Monday in court.

Canadian authorities have charged the suspect behind an attack in which a Muslim family was mowed down by a pick-up truck with terrorism, prosecutors said Monday in court. Four members of the Afzaal family, a man and his wife, their teenage daughter and his mother, were out for a walk in their London, Ontario neighborhood when a truck driver drove into them on purpose, according to authorities. Nathaniel Veltman, 20, had already been charged last week with four counts of premeditated murder and one of attempted murder. The attack was denounced as a "terrorist" act by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland reacted to the new charges afterward, saying: "It is really important for us to name it as an act of terror ... and it is important for us identify the terrible threat that white supremacism poses to Canada and to Canadians." The attack sparked outrage across Canada, with politicians from all sides condemning the crime, spurring growing calls to take action to curb hate crime and Islamophobia. People in London, Ontario marched about 7 kilometers (4.4 miles) from the spot where the family was struck down to a nearby mosque, the site close to where Veltman was arrested by police. Some carried placards with messages reading 'Hate has no home here', 'Love over hate'. Similar events were held in other cities in Ontario, Canada's most populous province. It was the worst attack against Canadian Muslims since a man gunned down six members of a Quebec City mosque in 2017. So far, few details have emerged that would shed light on why police say it was a pre-meditated, hate-motivated crime. Veltman is due in court again on June 21.

Canadian man accused of targeting Muslim family to face terror charges

4 members of a Pakistani-origin Muslim family were killed and one was left injured after a pickup truck targeted them in an attack motivated by hate. The Canadian police called it a 'premeditated' attack.

Pakistani-origin Muslim family of 4 killed in 'premeditated' truck attack in Canada

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday requested&nbsp;the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to vehemently counter Islamophobia and the false equation of Islam with radicalisation and terrorism.

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Prime Minister Imran Khan met the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of countries belonging to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (<a href="https://twitter.com/OIC_OCI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OIC_OCI</a>) today to discuss combating Islamophobia and promoting inter-faith harmony. <a href="https://t.co/EbS7zAwo6D">pic.twitter.com/EbS7zAwo6D</a>
— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPMO/status/1389287297410027534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Islamophobia exists just like anti-semitism. However, it has become a political tool to silence the critics of Islam.&nbsp;Criticism of any religion is not the same as discrimination against its followers.

The Pakistan government has decided that there would be no compromise on the country's controversial blasphemy law, days after the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for a review of Islamabad eligibility for the General Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status in wake of an "alarming" increase in the use of blasphemy accusations in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-has-islamophobia-become-a-political-tool-382821">Watch |</a>

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Prime Minister Imran Khan said&nbsp;that the vilification of Islamic precepts and religious personalities, wrongly justified under the garb of the right to freedom of expression or opinion, hurts the sentiments of 1.5 billion Muslims around the world.

However, Pakistan fails to question its ''all-weather friend'' China on its exploitation of Uighur Muslims in concentration camps.

The European Parliament, in its latest session on Thursday, adopted a resolution demanding Pakistan to allow space for religious freedom and urged the EU authorities to review GSP plus status for Pakistan amid the increasing number of blasphemy cases.

Pakistan's blasphemy laws, both in content and application, are contrary to Pakistan's human rights obligations to respect and protect the right to life, freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, equality before the law, prohibition of discrimination and the right to life.

While Imran Khan claims that Pakistan's initiatives are aimed at&nbsp;mutual understanding and promoting inter-faith harmony, nurses in his country are forcing their Christian colleagues&nbsp;for religious conversion.

Imran&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;had hoped a fight over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed would result in an easy win, placating the ultra-conservative quarters at home while being hailed as a defender of Islam abroad.&nbsp;The gamble seems to have backfired spectacularly.

For the past weeks, riots have again engulfed Pakistan, with police officers killed and taken hostage, and the French embassy taking the "urgent" step of advising its citizens to leave the country.

Khan&nbsp;scrambled&nbsp;to keep order, months after launching a war of words with President Emmanuel Macron following the French leader's defence of the magazine Charlie Hebdo's right to republish images of Mohammed, an act deemed blasphemous by many Muslims.

When Macron openly backed the magazine,&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;took up a crusade, accusing the French leader of insulting Islam and using an address to the United Nations as an opportunity to lambast the West.&nbsp;

But rather than appease the religious right,&nbsp;Khan's grievance appeared&nbsp;only to have encouraged the extremists, with the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), the Movement at the Service of the Prophet, calling for the expulsion of the French ambassador.&nbsp;

The violence only ended after Khan's government allegedly agreed to a deal with the TLP that would see the French ambassador booted out after receiving parliamentary approval.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday requested the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to vehemently counter Islamophobia and the false equation of Islam with radicalisation and terrorism.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday requested the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to vehemently counter Islamophobia and the false equation of Islam with radicalisation and terrorism. Prime Minister Imran Khan met the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of countries belonging to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (@OIC_OCI) today to discuss combating Islamophobia and promoting inter-faith harmony. pic.twitter.com/EbS7zAwo6D — Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) May 3, 2021 × Islamophobia exists just like anti-semitism. However, it has become a political tool to silence the critics of Islam. Criticism of any religion is not the same as discrimination against its followers. The Pakistan government has decided that there would be no compromise on the country's controversial blasphemy law, days after the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for a review of Islamabad eligibility for the General Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status in wake of an "alarming" increase in the use of blasphemy accusations in the country. Watch | Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the vilification of Islamic precepts and religious personalities, wrongly justified under the garb of the right to freedom of expression or opinion, hurts the sentiments of 1.5 billion Muslims around the world. However, Pakistan fails to question its ''all-weather friend'' China on its exploitation of Uighur Muslims in concentration camps. The European Parliament, in its latest session on Thursday, adopted a resolution demanding Pakistan to allow space for religious freedom and urged the EU authorities to review GSP plus status for Pakistan amid the increasing number of blasphemy cases. Pakistan's blasphemy laws, both in content and application, are contrary to Pakistan's human rights obligations to respect and protect the right to life, freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, equality before the law, prohibition of discrimination and the right to life. While Imran Khan claims that Pakistan's initiatives are aimed at mutual understanding and promoting inter-faith harmony, nurses in his country are forcing their Christian colleagues for religious conversion. Imran Khan had hoped a fight over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed would result in an easy win, placating the ultra-conservative quarters at home while being hailed as a defender of Islam abroad. The gamble seems to have backfired spectacularly. For the past weeks, riots have again engulfed Pakistan, with police officers killed and taken hostage, and the French embassy taking the "urgent" step of advising its citizens to leave the country. Khan scrambled to keep order, months after launching a war of words with President Emmanuel Macron following the French leader's defence of the magazine Charlie Hebdo's right to republish images of Mohammed, an act deemed blasphemous by many Muslims. When Macron openly backed the magazine, Khan took up a crusade, accusing the French leader of insulting Islam and using an address to the United Nations as an opportunity to lambast the West. But rather than appease the religious right, Khan's grievance appeared only to have encouraged the extremists, with the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), the Movement at the Service of the Prophet, calling for the expulsion of the French ambassador. The violence only ended after Khan's government allegedly agreed to a deal with the TLP that would see the French ambassador booted out after receiving parliamentary approval.

Has Islamophobia become a political tool?

Think the Muslim world is united in opposing Islamophobia? Think twice.

Rising anti-Muslim sentiment in countries like China and&nbsp;Myanmar as well as the West against the backdrop of increased support for anti-migration and extreme nationalist groups, and far-right populist parties is proving to be a boost for contenders for religious soft power in and leadership of the Muslim world.

For Turkey, Iran and Pakistan, supporters of different expressions of political Islam, Islamophobia provides the backdrop for attempts to position themselves as defenders of Muslim causes such as Palestinian rights in Jerusalem, the third holiest city in Islam, the plight of the Rohingya in Myanmar, and conflict in predominantly Muslim Kashmir.

Absent from the contenders’ list is China’s brutal crackdown on Turkic Muslims in its troubled northwestern province of Xinjiang. China, which aggressively has sought repatriation of Turkic Muslims, recently ratified an extradition treaty that Turkey, home to the largest Xinjiang exile community, insists will not put Uighurs at risk.

By the same token, Islamophobia has proven a useful tool to influence efforts by men like French President Emmanuel Macron and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to crack down on political Islam and shape the faith in the mould of Turkey &amp; Co’s Middle Eastern rivals for religious soft power, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Gulf monarchies advocate a vague notion of ‘moderate’ Islam that preaches absolute obedience to the ruler and is quietist and non-political. The two Gulf states have gone as far as legitimising China’s crackdown and persuading the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to endorse the Chinese policy as an effective way of countering political extremism and violence.

Economics and trade are powerful drivers for the Muslim world’s refusal to hold China accountable. But so are the brownie points that major Muslim-majority contenders for religious soft power garner in Beijing. Muslim criticism of the crackdown potentially could make the difference in pressuring China to change its policy.

Saudi and Emirati rejection of and campaigning against political Islam bolsters the rationale of not only China’s crackdown but also Russian efforts to control Moscow’s potentially restive Muslim minority. China may not like the propagation of political Islam by the Gulf states’ religious soft power rivals but values their silence.

Chinese Turkic Muslims is not the only issue over which contenders, including Asian states like Indonesia, irrespective of what notion of Islam they promote, stumble in their quest for religious soft power. So is another litmus test of claims of a majority of the contenders to embrace religious tolerance and inter-faith dialogue that raises the question of whether contenders should clean up their own house first to give credibility to their often-opportunistic embrace of ‘moderate’ Islam.

Among the rivals, the UAE, populated in majority by non-nationals, is one of only two contenders to start acknowledging changing attitudes and demographic realities.

Authorities in November lifted the ban on consumption of alcohol and cohabitation among unmarried couples. This week, the UAE opened the door to the naturalisation of foreign nationals.

The other contender, Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim movement, has begun tackling legal and theological reform of Islam with the encouragement of the government. The movement offered in October a platform for then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to lash out at China’s treatment of Turkic Muslims.

By contrast, Pakistan, in an act of overreach modelled on US insistence on extra-territorial abidance by some of its laws, recently laid down a gauntlet in the struggle to define religious freedom by seeking to block and shut down a US-based website associated with Ahmadis on charges of blasphemy.

Ahmadis are a minority sect viewed as heretics by many Muslims that have been targeted in Indonesia and elsewhere but nowhere more so than in Pakistan where they have been constitutionally classified as non-Muslims. Blasphemy is potentially punishable in Pakistan with a death sentence.

The Pakistani effort was launched at a moment that anti-Ahmadi -- and anti-Shiite sentiment in Pakistan, home to the world’s largest Shia Muslim minority, is on the rise. Recent mass demonstrations denounced Shiites as “blasphemers” and “infidels” and called for their beheading as the number of blasphemy cases being filed against Shiites in the courts mushrooms.

Pakistan’s rivals in the competition for religious soft power have largely remained silent about the worrying trend, raising questions about the integrity of their commitment to religious freedom and tolerance as well as their rejection of Islamophobia.

Newly appointed Indonesian religious affairs minister, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, a senior Nahdlatul Ulama official, is proving to be the exception that confirms the rule. Qoumas pledged in one of his first statements as a minister during a visit to a Protestant church to protect the rights of Shiites and Ahmadis.

Indonesia scholar Alexander R Arifianto, to this end, said: “Qoumas’ new initiatives as Religious Affairs Minister are a welcome move to counter the influence of radical Islamists and address long-standing injustices against religious minorities. He now has to prove these are not empty slogans, but an earnest attempt at promoting equal citizenship for all Indonesians irrespective of their religious beliefs.”

A podcast version of this story is available on Soundcloud, Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spreaker, Pocket Casts, Tumblr, Podbean, Audecibel, Patreon and Castbox.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Dr. James M. Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.

Think the Muslim world is united in opposing Islamophobia? Think twice. Rising anti-Muslim sentiment in countries like China and Myanmar as well as the West against the backdrop of increased support for anti-migration and extreme nationalist groups, and far-right populist parties is proving to be a boost for contenders for religious soft power in and leadership of the Muslim world.

Think the Muslim world is united in opposing Islamophobia? Think twice. Rising anti-Muslim sentiment in countries like China and Myanmar as well as the West against the backdrop of increased support for anti-migration and extreme nationalist groups, and far-right populist parties is proving to be a boost for contenders for religious soft power in and leadership of the Muslim world. For Turkey, Iran and Pakistan, supporters of different expressions of political Islam, Islamophobia provides the backdrop for attempts to position themselves as defenders of Muslim causes such as Palestinian rights in Jerusalem, the third holiest city in Islam, the plight of the Rohingya in Myanmar, and conflict in predominantly Muslim Kashmir. Absent from the contenders’ list is China’s brutal crackdown on Turkic Muslims in its troubled northwestern province of Xinjiang. China, which aggressively has sought repatriation of Turkic Muslims, recently ratified an extradition treaty that Turkey, home to the largest Xinjiang exile community, insists will not put Uighurs at risk. By the same token, Islamophobia has proven a useful tool to influence efforts by men like French President Emmanuel Macron and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to crack down on political Islam and shape the faith in the mould of Turkey & Co’s Middle Eastern rivals for religious soft power, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Gulf monarchies advocate a vague notion of ‘moderate’ Islam that preaches absolute obedience to the ruler and is quietist and non-political. The two Gulf states have gone as far as legitimising China’s crackdown and persuading the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to endorse the Chinese policy as an effective way of countering political extremism and violence. Economics and trade are powerful drivers for the Muslim world’s refusal to hold China accountable. But so are the brownie points that major Muslim-majority contenders for religious soft power garner in Beijing. Muslim criticism of the crackdown potentially could make the difference in pressuring China to change its policy. Saudi and Emirati rejection of and campaigning against political Islam bolsters the rationale of not only China’s crackdown but also Russian efforts to control Moscow’s potentially restive Muslim minority. China may not like the propagation of political Islam by the Gulf states’ religious soft power rivals but values their silence. Chinese Turkic Muslims is not the only issue over which contenders, including Asian states like Indonesia, irrespective of what notion of Islam they promote, stumble in their quest for religious soft power. So is another litmus test of claims of a majority of the contenders to embrace religious tolerance and inter-faith dialogue that raises the question of whether contenders should clean up their own house first to give credibility to their often-opportunistic embrace of ‘moderate’ Islam. Among the rivals, the UAE, populated in majority by non-nationals, is one of only two contenders to start acknowledging changing attitudes and demographic realities. Authorities in November lifted the ban on consumption of alcohol and cohabitation among unmarried couples. This week, the UAE opened the door to the naturalisation of foreign nationals. The other contender, Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim movement, has begun tackling legal and theological reform of Islam with the encouragement of the government. The movement offered in October a platform for then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to lash out at China’s treatment of Turkic Muslims. By contrast, Pakistan, in an act of overreach modelled on US insistence on extra-territorial abidance by some of its laws, recently laid down a gauntlet in the struggle to define religious freedom by seeking to block and shut down a US-based website associated with Ahmadis on charges of blasphemy. Ahmadis are a minority sect viewed as heretics by many Muslims that have been targeted in Indonesia and elsewhere but nowhere more so than in Pakistan where they have been constitutionally classified as non-Muslims. Blasphemy is potentially punishable in Pakistan with a death sentence. The Pakistani effort was launched at a moment that anti-Ahmadi -- and anti-Shiite sentiment in Pakistan, home to the world’s largest Shia Muslim minority, is on the rise. Recent mass demonstrations denounced Shiites as “blasphemers” and “infidels” and called for their beheading as the number of blasphemy cases being filed against Shiites in the courts mushrooms. Pakistan’s rivals in the competition for religious soft power have largely remained silent about the worrying trend, raising questions about the integrity of their commitment to religious freedom and tolerance as well as their rejection of Islamophobia. Newly appointed Indonesian religious affairs minister, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, a senior Nahdlatul Ulama official, is proving to be the exception that confirms the rule. Qoumas pledged in one of his first statements as a minister during a visit to a Protestant church to protect the rights of Shiites and Ahmadis. Indonesia scholar Alexander R Arifianto, to this end, said: “Qoumas’ new initiatives as Religious Affairs Minister are a welcome move to counter the influence of radical Islamists and address long-standing injustices against religious minorities. He now has to prove these are not empty slogans, but an earnest attempt at promoting equal citizenship for all Indonesians irrespective of their religious beliefs.” A podcast version of this story is available on Soundcloud, Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spreaker, Pocket Casts, Tumblr, Podbean, Audecibel, Patreon and Castbox. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) Dr. James M. Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.

Islamophobia: A fungible prop for Muslim religious soft power

France has suffered heavily due to Islamic terror in recent times. The French govt has launched an all-out crackdown on radicals. It is undertaking unprecedented measures to combat religious extremism. France is expected to investigate at least 76 mosques which have been flagged as possible threats to French values and security. If the doubts are confirmed they will be closed down.

Investigators are digging into the financing of mosques and the backgrounds of Imams suspected of peddling radical theories.

In last 10 months, a total of 8 major terror-related incidents have taken place in France. They range from the ramming of cars to stabbing &amp; shooting of policemen, to the beheading of a teacher &amp; a church-goer.

France is home to the biggest population of Muslims in Europe.

Atleast 8% of the French population follows Islam. But in recent years many French Muslims have often been accused of harbouring extremist sympathies

In October, right before middle-school teacher samuel paty was beheaded for showing a caricature of Prophet Mohammed to his students.

The grand mosque of Pantin on the outskirts of paris was provoking Muslim sentiments. The mosque authorities shared a video on their Facebook page peddling hatred against Samuel Paty.

The video was taken down shortly after Samuel Paty was beheaded. The French govt ordered a 6-month long closure of the mosque. Now the closures are slowly spreading to other mosques in the country.

Government's crackdown has left some Muslims feeling increasingly alienated in their own country.&nbsp;

"What I want to highlight is that out of 2,500 mosques and places of worship in France, we're talking of 76 (mosques), so less than 3%. A very big majority don't have any problems. And if we talk of 18 mosques that could be closed, it is less than 1%. So again, it's often the failing ones that comprise a minority who make headlines, unfortunately, silencing the majority who are moving with the times, and their religion," said Najat Benali, secretary-general of coordination of Muslim associations in Paris and rector of a mosque

"We feel that (government) decisions and plans are off the mark. Islam sells, it's the daily obsession of some politicians, some elected officials, and some media - for whom we're their main business," he added.

Defeating religious extremism needs strong &amp; decisive action. France has suffered due to terror more than any other European nation. Its efforts to curb radical Islam must not be mistaken for Islamophobia.

France has suffered heavily due to Islamic terror in recent times. The French govt has launched an all-out crackdown on radicals. It is undertaking unprecedented measures to combat religious extremism.

France has suffered heavily due to Islamic terror in recent times. The French govt has launched an all-out crackdown on radicals. It is undertaking unprecedented measures to combat religious extremism. France is expected to investigate at least 76 mosques which have been flagged as possible threats to French values and security. If the doubts are confirmed they will be closed down. Investigators are digging into the financing of mosques and the backgrounds of Imams suspected of peddling radical theories. In last 10 months, a total of 8 major terror-related incidents have taken place in France. They range from the ramming of cars to stabbing & shooting of policemen, to the beheading of a teacher & a church-goer. France is home to the biggest population of Muslims in Europe. Atleast 8% of the French population follows Islam. But in recent years many French Muslims have often been accused of harbouring extremist sympathies In October, right before middle-school teacher samuel paty was beheaded for showing a caricature of Prophet Mohammed to his students. The grand mosque of Pantin on the outskirts of paris was provoking Muslim sentiments. The mosque authorities shared a video on their Facebook page peddling hatred against Samuel Paty. The video was taken down shortly after Samuel Paty was beheaded. The French govt ordered a 6-month long closure of the mosque. Now the closures are slowly spreading to other mosques in the country. Government's crackdown has left some Muslims feeling increasingly alienated in their own country. "What I want to highlight is that out of 2,500 mosques and places of worship in France, we're talking of 76 (mosques), so less than 3%. A very big majority don't have any problems. And if we talk of 18 mosques that could be closed, it is less than 1%. So again, it's often the failing ones that comprise a minority who make headlines, unfortunately, silencing the majority who are moving with the times, and their religion," said Najat Benali, secretary-general of coordination of Muslim associations in Paris and rector of a mosque "We feel that (government) decisions and plans are off the mark. Islam sells, it's the daily obsession of some politicians, some elected officials, and some media - for whom we're their main business," he added. Defeating religious extremism needs strong & decisive action. France has suffered due to terror more than any other European nation. Its efforts to curb radical Islam must not be mistaken for Islamophobia.

French crackdown on mosques leaves some Muslims feeling alienated in own country

In a first, a Pakistan back UN resolution saw over half the members of the New York headquarter body not voting for. The resolution "Promotion of interreligious &amp; intercultural dialogue", saw 52 abstentions, and 51 countries not voting for. This makes 104 members of the UN, out of 193 strength not supporting the resolution.

Most of the countries, who did not vote were from Africa and small island countries, many of whom did not wish to be identified by going for abstentions. While the resolution co-sponsored by Pakistan-Philippines was adopted by 90 countries in favour, it divided the world body.

The abstentions were majorly from the European Union and the west over a straitjacketed view of ongoing freedom of expression versus religion debate. EU saw the resolution, while barely taking a stance on freedom of expression, focused on "religious symbols".

India had its own concerns, specifically on the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, with New Delhi highlighting how Islamabad has transferred the administration of the Gurudwara to a non-Sikh body. It said, "We have protested against this very strongly with the Pakistani side since this runs against the spirit of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor as also the religious sentiments of the Sikh community at large."

India also raised concerns over Indic religions--Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism being discriminated when it comes to persecution against them vis a vis Abrahamic religion, and the stance was well received by many countries.

Pakistani mission to United Nation said the resolution is part of "diplomatic campaign to raise awareness about Islamophobia, anti-Muslim hatred &amp; defamation of religious personalities &amp; symbols", something that is seen as one-sided and coming from a country with a poor track record on safekeeping its own minorities.&nbsp;

In the last 15 years, the resolution on "culture of peace" has always been adopted without a vote and adopted with a consensus. Pakistan is now keen that United Nations declares an “International Day to Combat Islamophobia”, an action that focuses on one religion and expectedly in the future will be used to slam India.

With the resolution being taken, the UN's role has also come under scrutiny. The resolution said it, "welcomes efforts undertaken by the high representative for the United Nations Alliance of civilizations...and takes note of his recent "call for mutual respect". This irked the EU and was seen a something that went against France and the right to expression.&nbsp;

High representative for the United Nations Alliance of civilizations Miguel Ángel Moratinos in October issued a statement "call for mutual respect", saying, "Insulting religions and sacred religious symbols provokes hatred and violent extremism leading to polarization..." and "freedom of expression should be exercised in a way that fully respects the religious beliefs".&nbsp;

The statement was issued in the aftermath of terror attacks in form of knife attacks in France over the depiction of Prophet Mohammed, which is forbidden in Islam.

In fact, India in its statement at UN when the resolution was being taken up and pointed out, “The United Nations is not a body which should take sides when it comes to religion. If we are indeed selective, we will only end up proving Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilizations”. What we are trying to build here is an “alliance of civilizations” not set up a clash. I call on the UN Alliance of Civilization to act likewise and speak for all, not just a select few."

In a first, a Pakistan back UN resolution saw over half the members of the New York headquarter body not voting for. The resolution "Promotion of interreligious & intercultural dialogue", saw 52 abstentions, and 51 countries not voting for.

In a first, a Pakistan back UN resolution saw over half the members of the New York headquarter body not voting for. The resolution "Promotion of interreligious & intercultural dialogue", saw 52 abstentions, and 51 countries not voting for. This makes 104 members of the UN, out of 193 strength not supporting the resolution. Most of the countries, who did not vote were from Africa and small island countries, many of whom did not wish to be identified by going for abstentions. While the resolution co-sponsored by Pakistan-Philippines was adopted by 90 countries in favour, it divided the world body. The abstentions were majorly from the European Union and the west over a straitjacketed view of ongoing freedom of expression versus religion debate. EU saw the resolution, while barely taking a stance on freedom of expression, focused on "religious symbols". India had its own concerns, specifically on the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, with New Delhi highlighting how Islamabad has transferred the administration of the Gurudwara to a non-Sikh body. It said, "We have protested against this very strongly with the Pakistani side since this runs against the spirit of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor as also the religious sentiments of the Sikh community at large." India also raised concerns over Indic religions--Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism being discriminated when it comes to persecution against them vis a vis Abrahamic religion, and the stance was well received by many countries. Pakistani mission to United Nation said the resolution is part of "diplomatic campaign to raise awareness about Islamophobia, anti-Muslim hatred & defamation of religious personalities & symbols", something that is seen as one-sided and coming from a country with a poor track record on safekeeping its own minorities. In the last 15 years, the resolution on "culture of peace" has always been adopted without a vote and adopted with a consensus. Pakistan is now keen that United Nations declares an “International Day to Combat Islamophobia”, an action that focuses on one religion and expectedly in the future will be used to slam India. With the resolution being taken, the UN's role has also come under scrutiny. The resolution said it, "welcomes efforts undertaken by the high representative for the United Nations Alliance of civilizations...and takes note of his recent "call for mutual respect". This irked the EU and was seen a something that went against France and the right to expression. High representative for the United Nations Alliance of civilizations Miguel Ángel Moratinos in October issued a statement "call for mutual respect", saying, "Insulting religions and sacred religious symbols provokes hatred and violent extremism leading to polarization..." and "freedom of expression should be exercised in a way that fully respects the religious beliefs". The statement was issued in the aftermath of terror attacks in form of knife attacks in France over the depiction of Prophet Mohammed, which is forbidden in Islam. In fact, India in its statement at UN when the resolution was being taken up and pointed out, “The United Nations is not a body which should take sides when it comes to religion. If we are indeed selective, we will only end up proving Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilizations”. What we are trying to build here is an “alliance of civilizations” not set up a clash. I call on the UN Alliance of Civilization to act likewise and speak for all, not just a select few."

Major embarrassment for Pakistan at UN: Over 100 countries decline to extend support to resolution backed by it

Pakistan faces another rejection. Over 100 nations at UN declined to support the Pakistan resolution. Pakistan's resolution on Islamophobia get's rejected due to its poor track record of safeguarding minorities.

Pakistan resolution on Islamophobia gets rejected by 100 Nations

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday wrote to the leaders of Muslim countries calling on them to act together against Islamophobia, as anger grows over France’s defence of the right to mock religion.

Muslims across the world have reacted furiously to French President Emmanuel Macron's defence of free speech after a French school teacher who had shown his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed was killed.

Khan accused European countries of ridiculing the prophet, allowing discrimination against Muslims and refusing to let Muslim women wear conservative clothing.&nbsp;

"The recent statements at the leadership level and incidents of desecration of the Holy Koran are a reflection of the increase in Islamophobia that is spreading in European countries," the letter said, days after Khan accused Macron of attacking Islam.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-issues-new-travel-advisory-339222">Pakistan issues new travel advisory</a> 
 
In a speech in Lahore on Wednesday, Khan added that the lives of Muslims have been made difficult in France, and Western countries should consider the sensitivities of devotees.

Caricatures of Mohammed are forbidden by Islam and blasphemy is an explosive issue in ultra-conservative Pakistan, where anyone deemed to have insulted Islam or Islamic figures can face the death penalty.

Macron's comments have triggered protests and a call to boycott French goods in some Muslim-majority countries.&nbsp;

Small and scattered protests have taken place across Pakistan this week, including in the port city of Karachi on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Khan's office earlier wrote a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg asking the social media giant to take down Islamophobic content.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday wrote to the leaders of Muslim countries calling on them to act together against Islamophobia, as anger grows over France’s defence of the right to mock religion.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday wrote to the leaders of Muslim countries calling on them to act together against Islamophobia, as anger grows over France’s defence of the right to mock religion. Muslims across the world have reacted furiously to French President Emmanuel Macron's defence of free speech after a French school teacher who had shown his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed was killed. Khan accused European countries of ridiculing the prophet, allowing discrimination against Muslims and refusing to let Muslim women wear conservative clothing. "The recent statements at the leadership level and incidents of desecration of the Holy Koran are a reflection of the increase in Islamophobia that is spreading in European countries," the letter said, days after Khan accused Macron of attacking Islam. Also Read | Pakistan issues new travel advisory In a speech in Lahore on Wednesday, Khan added that the lives of Muslims have been made difficult in France, and Western countries should consider the sensitivities of devotees. Caricatures of Mohammed are forbidden by Islam and blasphemy is an explosive issue in ultra-conservative Pakistan, where anyone deemed to have insulted Islam or Islamic figures can face the death penalty. Macron's comments have triggered protests and a call to boycott French goods in some Muslim-majority countries. Small and scattered protests have taken place across Pakistan this week, including in the port city of Karachi on Wednesday. Khan's office earlier wrote a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg asking the social media giant to take down Islamophobic content.

Imran Khan calls for collective Muslim action against Islamophobia

#BoycottFrenchGoods is trending across West Asia. Protests over the Prophet's cartoons and Macron's remarks are growing across the Arab world. Ghadi Francis tells us what this will mean for the French President. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION

The West Asia Post | #BoycottFrenchGoods trends across West Asia

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has penned a letter to the leaders of Muslim states. Khan is attempting to collectivise leaders against “Islamophobia” in non-Muslim countries, especially in the West in the aftermath of France beheading.&nbsp;

On Twitter, Khan said that the “Islamophobia” had caused concern among Muslims all over the world.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-condemns-attack-on-madrassa-vows-to-bring-perpetrators-to-justice-338226" hreflang="en">Pakistan PM Imran Khan condemns attack on Madrassa, vows to bring perpetrators to justice</a>

Addressing the letter to “Leaders of the Muslim States”, Imran Khan wrote “Today, we are confronting a growing concern and restlessness amongst our Ummah as they see the rising tide of Islamophobia and attacks, through ridicule and mockery on our beloved Prophet PBUH in the Western world, especially Europe”.

Khan referred to the closure of mosques in Europe, and claimed that “Muslim women are being denied their right to wear clothing of their choice in the public domain”.

The Pakistan PM also claimed that Muslims living in these countries face continuous discrimination. Attempting to label European countries as ignorant, Khan added that such discrimination arises from “lack of understanding of the intrinsic deep passion, love and devotion Muslims all over the world have for their Prophet”.

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My letter to leaders of Muslim states to act collectively to counter the growing Islamophobia in non-Muslim states esp Western states causing increasing concern amongst Muslims the world over. <a href="https://t.co/OFuaKGu2c1">pic.twitter.com/OFuaKGu2c1</a>
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1321401079947558915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Even though he did not directly mention the beheading of the French teacher, who had shown caricatures of Prophet Mohammad in his class, and had even urged Muslims to leave the class while he did the same in a bid to avoid hurting sentiments, Khan referred to recent events as a series of “actions and reactions”.

He urged the Muslim leaders to “take the lead in breaking this cycle of hate and extremism, which nurtures violence and even death”. He also requested them to reach out to Western countries, referring to them as “the other”, in a bid to end cycles of “violence bred of ignorance and hate”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/after-imran-khan-recep-erdogan-doubles-down-in-backlash-against-macrons-islam-comments-337912" hreflang="en">After Imran Khan, Recep Erdogan doubles down in backlash against Macron's Islam comments</a>

Saying that value systems differ for various social, religious, and ethnic groups, Khan referred to the Holocaust, while adding that he “understands” why European countries criminalise criticism of the mass persecution of Jews under Hitler.

Referring to the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir as the “illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir”, Khan claimed how Muslims had been persecuted across the globe, while also giving examples of Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

President Macron's&nbsp;decision to defend&nbsp;cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad&nbsp;has led to protests across the world even as Turkey President Erdogan said Macron needed "mental checks."

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan accused Macron of "attacking Islam". He tweeted that the French leader "could have put healing touch &amp; denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarisation &amp; marginalisation that inevitably leads to radicalisation."

Macron had described Islam as a religion "in crisis" worldwide and said the government would present a bill in December to strengthen a 1905 law that officially separated church and state in France.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has penned a letter to the leaders of Muslim states. Khan is attempting to collectivise leaders against “Islamophobia” in non-Muslim countries, especially in the West in the aftermath of France beheading.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has penned a letter to the leaders of Muslim states. Khan is attempting to collectivise leaders against “Islamophobia” in non-Muslim countries, especially in the West in the aftermath of France beheading. On Twitter, Khan said that the “Islamophobia” had caused concern among Muslims all over the world. Also read: Pakistan PM Imran Khan condemns attack on Madrassa, vows to bring perpetrators to justice Addressing the letter to “Leaders of the Muslim States”, Imran Khan wrote “Today, we are confronting a growing concern and restlessness amongst our Ummah as they see the rising tide of Islamophobia and attacks, through ridicule and mockery on our beloved Prophet PBUH in the Western world, especially Europe”. Khan referred to the closure of mosques in Europe, and claimed that “Muslim women are being denied their right to wear clothing of their choice in the public domain”. The Pakistan PM also claimed that Muslims living in these countries face continuous discrimination. Attempting to label European countries as ignorant, Khan added that such discrimination arises from “lack of understanding of the intrinsic deep passion, love and devotion Muslims all over the world have for their Prophet”. My letter to leaders of Muslim states to act collectively to counter the growing Islamophobia in non-Muslim states esp Western states causing increasing concern amongst Muslims the world over. pic.twitter.com/OFuaKGu2c1 — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 28, 2020 × Even though he did not directly mention the beheading of the French teacher, who had shown caricatures of Prophet Mohammad in his class, and had even urged Muslims to leave the class while he did the same in a bid to avoid hurting sentiments, Khan referred to recent events as a series of “actions and reactions”. He urged the Muslim leaders to “take the lead in breaking this cycle of hate and extremism, which nurtures violence and even death”. He also requested them to reach out to Western countries, referring to them as “the other”, in a bid to end cycles of “violence bred of ignorance and hate”. Also read: After Imran Khan, Recep Erdogan doubles down in backlash against Macron's Islam comments Saying that value systems differ for various social, religious, and ethnic groups, Khan referred to the Holocaust, while adding that he “understands” why European countries criminalise criticism of the mass persecution of Jews under Hitler. Referring to the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir as the “illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir”, Khan claimed how Muslims had been persecuted across the globe, while also giving examples of Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. President Macron's decision to defend cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad has led to protests across the world even as Turkey President Erdogan said Macron needed "mental checks." Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan accused Macron of "attacking Islam". He tweeted that the French leader "could have put healing touch & denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarisation & marginalisation that inevitably leads to radicalisation." Macron had described Islam as a religion "in crisis" worldwide and said the government would present a bill in December to strengthen a 1905 law that officially separated church and state in France.

Pak PM Imran Khan pens letter to Muslim leaders to counter 'Islamophobia' after France beheading

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called on Facebook to ban Islamophobic content on its platform, warning of a spike in radicalisation amongst Muslims, hours after he hit out at the French president for "attacking Islam".

Khan, in an open letter posted on Twitter on Sunday, said: "growing Islamophobia" was encouraging extremism and violence worldwide, especially through social media platforms such as Facebook.

"I would ask you to place a similar ban on Islamophobia and hate against Islam for Facebook that you have put in place for the Holocaust," Khan said.

This month, Facebook said it was updating its hate speech policy to ban content that denied or distorted the Holocaust.

"One cannot send a message that while hate messages against some are unacceptable, these are acceptable against others," Khan said, adding such a stance was "reflective of prejudice and bias that will encourage further radicalisation".

In response, a Facebook spokeswoman told Reuters the company opposed all forms of hate and did not allow attacks based on race, ethnicity, national origin or religion.

"We'll remove this hate speech as soon as we become aware of it," the spokeswoman said in a statement, adding that Facebook had "more work to do".

Facebook's last transparency report for the six months to December 2019, showed that Pakistan was the source of the second-highest number of requests to curb content after Russia.

A source with direct knowledge of the issue at Facebook told Reuters that the most requests for the removal of content relating to Islam came from Pakistan, exceeding other Muslim-majority countries.

Facebook traditionally complies, as not doing so would be to break Pakistan's laws, the source said, adding that authorities would often send dozens of links at a time and demand they be taken down.

'ATTACKING ISLAM'

In his letter, Khan also referred to the situation in France, where, he said, Islam was being associated with terrorism.

Earlier on Sunday, Khan said French President Emmanuel Macron had "attacked Islam" by encouraging the display of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad.

Khan's comments came after Macron paid tribute to a French history teacher beheaded by an Islamist radical who wanted to avenge the use of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression.

Khan's comments follow a similar broadside against Macron by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, after which France recalled its ambassador to Turkey.

Pakistan and Turkey share strong ties, while Khan and Erdogan have developed a close relationship - particularly on the topic of Islamophobia.

Khan's letter to Facebook and comments on Macron come as he faces pressure from a newly formed coalition of opposition parties seeking to oust him.

The cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, first published in 2005 by Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, have long been a sensitive topic among Muslims, stirring protests in Pakistan and elsewhere.

Tens of thousands of people protested in Pakistan last month when the cartoons were republished by the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.

Khan's government has subjected a number of social media apps to intense scrutiny and banned some for content authorities deemed obscene or immoral.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called on Facebook to ban Islamophobic content on its platform, warning of a spike in radicalisation amongst Muslims, hours after he hit out at the French president for "attacking Islam".

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called on Facebook to ban Islamophobic content on its platform, warning of a spike in radicalisation amongst Muslims, hours after he hit out at the French president for "attacking Islam". Khan, in an open letter posted on Twitter on Sunday, said: "growing Islamophobia" was encouraging extremism and violence worldwide, especially through social media platforms such as Facebook. "I would ask you to place a similar ban on Islamophobia and hate against Islam for Facebook that you have put in place for the Holocaust," Khan said. This month, Facebook said it was updating its hate speech policy to ban content that denied or distorted the Holocaust. "One cannot send a message that while hate messages against some are unacceptable, these are acceptable against others," Khan said, adding such a stance was "reflective of prejudice and bias that will encourage further radicalisation". In response, a Facebook spokeswoman told Reuters the company opposed all forms of hate and did not allow attacks based on race, ethnicity, national origin or religion. "We'll remove this hate speech as soon as we become aware of it," the spokeswoman said in a statement, adding that Facebook had "more work to do". Facebook's last transparency report for the six months to December 2019, showed that Pakistan was the source of the second-highest number of requests to curb content after Russia. A source with direct knowledge of the issue at Facebook told Reuters that the most requests for the removal of content relating to Islam came from Pakistan, exceeding other Muslim-majority countries. Facebook traditionally complies, as not doing so would be to break Pakistan's laws, the source said, adding that authorities would often send dozens of links at a time and demand they be taken down. 'ATTACKING ISLAM' In his letter, Khan also referred to the situation in France, where, he said, Islam was being associated with terrorism. Earlier on Sunday, Khan said French President Emmanuel Macron had "attacked Islam" by encouraging the display of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad. Khan's comments came after Macron paid tribute to a French history teacher beheaded by an Islamist radical who wanted to avenge the use of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression. Khan's comments follow a similar broadside against Macron by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, after which France recalled its ambassador to Turkey. Pakistan and Turkey share strong ties, while Khan and Erdogan have developed a close relationship - particularly on the topic of Islamophobia. Khan's letter to Facebook and comments on Macron come as he faces pressure from a newly formed coalition of opposition parties seeking to oust him. The cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, first published in 2005 by Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, have long been a sensitive topic among Muslims, stirring protests in Pakistan and elsewhere. Tens of thousands of people protested in Pakistan last month when the cartoons were republished by the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. Khan's government has subjected a number of social media apps to intense scrutiny and banned some for content authorities deemed obscene or immoral.

Imran Khan writes to Facebook CEO seeking ban on islamophobic content 

The gunman behind New Zealand's Christchurch mosque shootings sacked his lawyers Monday and opted to represent himself, raising fears he would use a sentencing hearing next month to promote his white-supremacist views. 
 
Australian national Brenton Tarrant will be sentenced on August 24 on 51 murder convictions, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism arising from last year's massacre, the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's modern history. 
 
He has pleaded guilty to the charges.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/christchurch-shootings-shooter-pleads-guilty-to-killing-51-people-in-mosque-attack-288599" hreflang="en">Christchurch shootings: Shooter pleads guilty to killing 51 people in mosque attack</a> 
 
At a pre-sentencing hearing on Monday, High Court judge Cameron Mander allowed Tarrant's lawyers, Shane Tait and Jonathan Hudson, to withdraw from proceedings at the request of their client. 
 
However, the judge ordered "standby counsel" to be available next month in case Tarrant -- who appeared in the Christchurch court via video link from an Auckland prison -- changes his mind. 
 
New Zealand Muslim Association president Ikhlaq Kashkari questioned Tarrant's motives, saying victims could be re-traumatised if the gunman were allowed to spout far-right rhetoric from the dock. 
 
"My first concern when I read this was 'Oh my God, what's this guy up to, is he going to use this as a platform to promote his views and thoughts?'," he told AFP. 
 
"A lot of people are still going through trauma and this was seen as one of those events that would give them closure. I hope it's not going to be something that will trigger more pain instead."

'He wants attention' 
In March 2019, Tarrant gunned down Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers at two Christchurch mosques, live-streaming the killings as he went. 
 
His victims included children, women and the elderly. 
 
The former gym instructor unexpectedly reversed his not-guilty plea in March this year, removing the need for a lengthy trial.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/australia-blocks-websites-hosting-christchurch-attack-videos-248564" hreflang="en">Australia blocks websites hosting Christchurch attack videos</a> 
 
The terror and murder charges all carry life sentences, setting a minimum non-parole period of 17 years while also giving the judge power to imprison without the possibility of release. New Zealand does not have the death penalty. 
 
Survivors and the families of victims will be present during the three-day sentencing hearing and Islamic Women's Council of New Zealand spokeswoman Anjum Rahman said many would not want to hear from Tarrant. 
 
While she did not want to speculate on Tarrant's motive for representing himself, she said: "He has shown in the past that he likes to get attention and he wants attention. 
 
"I feel this is all part of that mindset."

The gunman behind New Zealand's Christchurch mosque shootings sacked his lawyers Monday and opted to represent himself, raising fears he would use a sentencing hearing next month to promote his white-supremacist views.

The gunman behind New Zealand's Christchurch mosque shootings sacked his lawyers Monday and opted to represent himself, raising fears he would use a sentencing hearing next month to promote his white-supremacist views. Australian national Brenton Tarrant will be sentenced on August 24 on 51 murder convictions, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism arising from last year's massacre, the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's modern history. He has pleaded guilty to the charges. Also read: Christchurch shootings: Shooter pleads guilty to killing 51 people in mosque attack At a pre-sentencing hearing on Monday, High Court judge Cameron Mander allowed Tarrant's lawyers, Shane Tait and Jonathan Hudson, to withdraw from proceedings at the request of their client. However, the judge ordered "standby counsel" to be available next month in case Tarrant -- who appeared in the Christchurch court via video link from an Auckland prison -- changes his mind. New Zealand Muslim Association president Ikhlaq Kashkari questioned Tarrant's motives, saying victims could be re-traumatised if the gunman were allowed to spout far-right rhetoric from the dock. "My first concern when I read this was 'Oh my God, what's this guy up to, is he going to use this as a platform to promote his views and thoughts?'," he told AFP. "A lot of people are still going through trauma and this was seen as one of those events that would give them closure. I hope it's not going to be something that will trigger more pain instead." 'He wants attention' In March 2019, Tarrant gunned down Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers at two Christchurch mosques, live-streaming the killings as he went. His victims included children, women and the elderly. The former gym instructor unexpectedly reversed his not-guilty plea in March this year, removing the need for a lengthy trial. Also read: Australia blocks websites hosting Christchurch attack videos The terror and murder charges all carry life sentences, setting a minimum non-parole period of 17 years while also giving the judge power to imprison without the possibility of release. New Zealand does not have the death penalty. Survivors and the families of victims will be present during the three-day sentencing hearing and Islamic Women's Council of New Zealand spokeswoman Anjum Rahman said many would not want to hear from Tarrant. While she did not want to speculate on Tarrant's motive for representing himself, she said: "He has shown in the past that he likes to get attention and he wants attention. "I feel this is all part of that mindset."

New Zealand mosque shooter to represent himself at sentencing

Maldives has thwarted Pakistan's attempt to single out India at a virtual meet of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Islamophobia highlighting the country's democratic credentials and multicultural society.

Speaking at the OIC United Nations envoys virtual meet, Maldives Permanent Representative in New York Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain said, "Targetting a specific country will be like side stepping the real issue. In this light, let me state that singling out India, the largest democracy in the world and a multi-cultural society and home to over 200 million Muslims, alleging Islamophobia would be factually incorrect."

During the meeting Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram had said India is actively promoting Islamophobic.

Thilmeeza explained, "It would be detrimental to the religious harmony in the South Asian region. Islam has existed in India for centuries and it is the second-largest religion in India, with 14.2 per cent&nbsp;of the country's population. Isolated statements by motivated people and disinformation campaigns on social media should not be construed as representative of the feelings of 1.3 billion."

"Maldives cannot support any action within the OIC, that singles-out or targets India,"&nbsp;Thilmeeza added.

In the past few years, ties between India and Maldives have gone from strength to strength. New Delhi has reached out to Male during the current ongoing COVID-19 crisis while the Maldives has reaffirmed "India first" policy many times.

Maldives has thwarted Pakistan's attempt to single out India at a virtual meet of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Islamophobia highlighting the country's democratic credentials and multicultural society.

Maldives has thwarted Pakistan's attempt to single out India at a virtual meet of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Islamophobia highlighting the country's democratic credentials and multicultural society. Speaking at the OIC United Nations envoys virtual meet, Maldives Permanent Representative in New York Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain said, "Targetting a specific country will be like side stepping the real issue. In this light, let me state that singling out India, the largest democracy in the world and a multi-cultural society and home to over 200 million Muslims, alleging Islamophobia would be factually incorrect." During the meeting Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram had said India is actively promoting Islamophobic. Thilmeeza explained, "It would be detrimental to the religious harmony in the South Asian region. Islam has existed in India for centuries and it is the second-largest religion in India, with 14.2 per cent of the country's population. Isolated statements by motivated people and disinformation campaigns on social media should not be construed as representative of the feelings of 1.3 billion." "Maldives cannot support any action within the OIC, that singles-out or targets India," Thilmeeza added. In the past few years, ties between India and Maldives have gone from strength to strength. New Delhi has reached out to Male during the current ongoing COVID-19 crisis while the Maldives has reaffirmed "India first" policy many times.

Maldives thwarts Pak attempts to single out India on Islamophobia at OIC

French President Emmanuel Macron defended a 16-year-old teenager who faced death threats after she criticised Islam during an Instagram live.

Defending Mila, Macron said, "We have forgotten that Mila is an adolescent," local media reported.

"We owe her protection at school, in her daily life and when she moves around. The state has assumed its responsibilities."

The president's intervention came after 16-year-old Mila criticised the Islam religion during an Instagram live which triggered a polarising debate over free speech and blasphemy in the country.

"A guy was hitting on me heavily during the live, telling me 'you're beautiful, you're hot, what age are you?" Mila recounted the events during an interview with a local television channel.

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Mila est notre invitée dans <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Quotidien?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Quotidien</a> pour sa seule et unique interview. <a href="https://t.co/cZ1VqObHrR">pic.twitter.com/cZ1VqObHrR</a>
— Quotidien (@Qofficiel) <a href="https://twitter.com/Qofficiel/status/1224418961649029120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After speaking about her sexuality while refusing the guy, a Muslim commenter posted homophobic comments and called Mila a "dirty lesbian".

The French teenager then started ranting against Islam as she said that it is "a sh***y religion" and used lewd language to further criticise the Quran, a holy book of Islam.

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Je pense qu’elle se rend pas compte de ce qu’elle dit et de l’ampleur que ça peut prendre <a href="https://t.co/K5kruoi7FQ">pic.twitter.com/K5kruoi7FQ</a>
— مالاك🇲🇦 (@malak_288_) <a href="https://twitter.com/malak_288_/status/1218536816422334465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In response, some people sent her death threats, and shared her personal information online, including her school name.

The teen's outburst prompted fury but also drew support in France, where there are no laws against blasphemy.

After the criticism, Mila and her family were put under police protection. The government has also changed her school earlier this month.

However, &nbsp;Mila has apologised to those people who may have been "hurt" by her remarks but insisted she had every right to speak out.

"I never wanted to target human beings. I wanted to blaspheme. I wanted to speak about a religion and say what I think," she said.

The government has largely distanced itself from remarks by Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet who declared the death threats received by Mila were "unacceptable in a democracy" but added her remarks about Islam were "clearly an infringement on freedom of conscience".

The controversy has come just over five years after a group of French cartoonists from the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo were gunned down by jihadist gunmen after poking fun at the Prophet Mohammed.

(With inputs from agencies)

French President Emmanuel Macron defended a 16-year-old teenager who faced death threats after she criticised Islam during an Instagram live. Defending Mila, Macron said, "We have forgotten that Mila is an adolescent," local media reported.

French President Emmanuel Macron defended a 16-year-old teenager who faced death threats after she criticised Islam during an Instagram live. Defending Mila, Macron said, "We have forgotten that Mila is an adolescent," local media reported. "We owe her protection at school, in her daily life and when she moves around. The state has assumed its responsibilities." The president's intervention came after 16-year-old Mila criticised the Islam religion during an Instagram live which triggered a polarising debate over free speech and blasphemy in the country. "A guy was hitting on me heavily during the live, telling me 'you're beautiful, you're hot, what age are you?" Mila recounted the events during an interview with a local television channel. Mila est notre invitée dans #Quotidien pour sa seule et unique interview. pic.twitter.com/cZ1VqObHrR — Quotidien (@Qofficiel) February 3, 2020 × After speaking about her sexuality while refusing the guy, a Muslim commenter posted homophobic comments and called Mila a "dirty lesbian". The French teenager then started ranting against Islam as she said that it is "a sh***y religion" and used lewd language to further criticise the Quran, a holy book of Islam. Je pense qu’elle se rend pas compte de ce qu’elle dit et de l’ampleur que ça peut prendre pic.twitter.com/K5kruoi7FQ — مالاك🇲🇦 (@malak_288_) January 18, 2020 × In response, some people sent her death threats, and shared her personal information online, including her school name. The teen's outburst prompted fury but also drew support in France, where there are no laws against blasphemy. After the criticism, Mila and her family were put under police protection. The government has also changed her school earlier this month. However, Mila has apologised to those people who may have been "hurt" by her remarks but insisted she had every right to speak out. "I never wanted to target human beings. I wanted to blaspheme. I wanted to speak about a religion and say what I think," she said. The government has largely distanced itself from remarks by Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet who declared the death threats received by Mila were "unacceptable in a democracy" but added her remarks about Islam were "clearly an infringement on freedom of conscience". The controversy has come just over five years after a group of French cartoonists from the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo were gunned down by jihadist gunmen after poking fun at the Prophet Mohammed. (With inputs from agencies)

'We've forgotten that Mila is adolescent': French President defends teen threatened over anti-Islam rant

The eastern German city of Dresden has declared a "Nazi emergency" as officials warned of a rise in far-right support and violence.

The city is the birthplace of the Islamophobic Pegida movement, which holds weekly rallies here, while the anti-immigration Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) party won 28 per cent in September regional elections.&nbsp;

Dresden's city council on Wednesday backed a resolution against far-right extremism with the title "Nazinotstand?", or "Nazi emergency?".

It was brought by Max Aschenbach, a local councillor for left-leaning satirical party Die Partei, who told the DPA news agency that "this city has a Nazi problem".

The resolution said the city was "worried that anti-democratic, anti-pluralist, discriminatory and far-right positions which include violence" were on the rise in Dresden.

It called for a "strengthening of democratic culture", making a priority of "the protection of minorities, human rights and victims of extreme-right violence".

The motion also stressed the importance to fight "anti-Semitism, racism and Islamophobia".

The resolution was approved by 39 council member votes against 29.

It was backed by the left and liberal parties but rejected not only by the AfD members but also by centre-right Christian Democrats who said it should not have targeted right-wing extremism only.

"The title is clearly pointed," said Thomas Loeser, a council member for the Green party.

"But we, as the city community, clearly declare our support for those who oppose racism and anti-Semitism, and expect everybody else to do the same," he said.

The eastern German city of Dresden has declared a "Nazi emergency" as officials warned of a rise in far-right support and violence. The city is the birthplace of the Islamophobic Pegida movement, which holds weekly rallies here, while the anti-immigration Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) party won 28 per cent in September regional elections.

The eastern German city of Dresden has declared a "Nazi emergency" as officials warned of a rise in far-right support and violence. The city is the birthplace of the Islamophobic Pegida movement, which holds weekly rallies here, while the anti-immigration Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) party won 28 per cent in September regional elections. Dresden's city council on Wednesday backed a resolution against far-right extremism with the title "Nazinotstand?", or "Nazi emergency?". It was brought by Max Aschenbach, a local councillor for left-leaning satirical party Die Partei, who told the DPA news agency that "this city has a Nazi problem". The resolution said the city was "worried that anti-democratic, anti-pluralist, discriminatory and far-right positions which include violence" were on the rise in Dresden. It called for a "strengthening of democratic culture", making a priority of "the protection of minorities, human rights and victims of extreme-right violence". The motion also stressed the importance to fight "anti-Semitism, racism and Islamophobia". The resolution was approved by 39 council member votes against 29. It was backed by the left and liberal parties but rejected not only by the AfD members but also by centre-right Christian Democrats who said it should not have targeted right-wing extremism only. "The title is clearly pointed," said Thomas Loeser, a council member for the Green party. "But we, as the city community, clearly declare our support for those who oppose racism and anti-Semitism, and expect everybody else to do the same," he said.

German city declares 'Nazi emergency' as far-right violence rise

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia will jointly launch an English language channel 'dedicated to confronting the challenges posed by Islamophobia'.

In a tweet, Khan said that the decision was taken during his meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in New York.

"President Erdogan, PM Mahatir and I had a meeting today in which we decided our 3 countries would jointly start an English language channel dedicated to confronting the challenges posed by Islamophobia and setting the record straight on our great religion - Islam", Khan tweeted.

He also added that the channel would correct the misperceptions which bring people together against Muslims.

Further, Khan said, "Issue of blasphemy would be properly contextualized; series and films would be produced on Muslim history to educate/inform our own people and the world; Muslims would be given a dedicated media presence.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia will jointly launch an English language channel 'dedicated to confronting the challenges posed by Islamophobia'.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia will jointly launch an English language channel 'dedicated to confronting the challenges posed by Islamophobia'. In a tweet, Khan said that the decision was taken during his meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in New York. "President Erdogan, PM Mahatir and I had a meeting today in which we decided our 3 countries would jointly start an English language channel dedicated to confronting the challenges posed by Islamophobia and setting the record straight on our great religion - Islam", Khan tweeted. He also added that the channel would correct the misperceptions which bring people together against Muslims. Further, Khan said, "Issue of blasphemy would be properly contextualized; series and films would be produced on Muslim history to educate/inform our own people and the world; Muslims would be given a dedicated media presence.

Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia to jointly launch English channel for confronting 'Islamophobia'

Imran Khan Blames Islamophobia For Pakistan's Isolation. Imran Khan Blames Islamophobia For Pakistan's Isolation And Promotes Tourism At The SCO Summit? Did Imran Khan 'Deliberately' Forget Pakistan's Dodgy Record On Terrorism? And Why Is Diverting The Attention From Terrorism? Is Naya Pakistan Full Of Same Old Lies?

Gravitas: Naya Pakistan, Same Old Lies

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-manifesto-some-ideas-positively-dangerous-says-bjp-207472">Lok Sabha polls 2019: Congress releases manifesto, BJP says some of its ideas 'positively dangerous'</a>

The BJP said Tuesday that some of the ideas in the Congress manifesto were "positively dangerous".&nbsp;

The pushback — the Congress manifesto had been released earlier on Tuesday — was launched by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who said the ideas were "an agenda for the Balkanisation of India".&nbsp;

Jaitley was by and large referring to what the Congress manifesto has said about Kashmir.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/avoiding-temptation-rbi-likely-to-cut-key-rate-by-just-25-basis-points-207455">Reserve Bank of India likely to cut interest rate by 0.25%: Analysts</a>

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to cut its policy interest rate by 25 basis points on Thursday, despite some analysts believing the country's weakening economic growth and subdued inflation outlook warrant a larger reduction.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-exactly-does-the-congress-manifesto-promise-207487">What exactly does the Congress manifesto say?&nbsp;</a>

The Congress released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, and the BJP was quick to say some of the ideas in it were "positively dangerous".&nbsp;

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley went so far as to say some of the ideas in the manifesto were "an agenda for the Balkanisation of India". But what else does the 55-page long Congress manifesto called "Hum Nibhayenge" or "We Will Deliver" say?&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-antonio-guterres-warns-against-rising-anti-muslim-hatred-207514">UN chief Antonio Guterres warns against rising anti-Muslim hatred</a>

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday against growing hatred of Muslims, less than a month after a deadly attack on mosques in New Zealand killed at least 50 people.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-lawmakers-to-try-to-force-pm-may-to-seek-further-brexit-delay-207516">British MPs to try to force PM May to ask for another Brexit delay</a>

A group of British lawmakers said on Tuesday they would try to pass a law which would force Prime Minister Theresa May to seek a delay to Britain's departure from the European Union and thus prevent a chaotic no-deal Brexit on April 12.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Congress releases manifesto, BJP says some of its ideas 'positively dangerous' The BJP said Tuesday that some of the ideas in the Congress manifesto were "positively dangerous".

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Congress releases manifesto, BJP says some of its ideas 'positively dangerous' The BJP said Tuesday that some of the ideas in the Congress manifesto were "positively dangerous". The pushback — the Congress manifesto had been released earlier on Tuesday — was launched by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who said the ideas were "an agenda for the Balkanisation of India". Jaitley was by and large referring to what the Congress manifesto has said about Kashmir. Reserve Bank of India likely to cut interest rate by 0.25%: Analysts The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to cut its policy interest rate by 25 basis points on Thursday, despite some analysts believing the country's weakening economic growth and subdued inflation outlook warrant a larger reduction. What exactly does the Congress manifesto say? The Congress released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, and the BJP was quick to say some of the ideas in it were "positively dangerous". Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley went so far as to say some of the ideas in the manifesto were "an agenda for the Balkanisation of India". But what else does the 55-page long Congress manifesto called "Hum Nibhayenge" or "We Will Deliver" say? UN chief Antonio Guterres warns against rising anti-Muslim hatred UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday against growing hatred of Muslims, less than a month after a deadly attack on mosques in New Zealand killed at least 50 people. British MPs to try to force PM May to ask for another Brexit delay A group of British lawmakers said on Tuesday they would try to pass a law which would force Prime Minister Theresa May to seek a delay to Britain's departure from the European Union and thus prevent a chaotic no-deal Brexit on April 12.

News brief: Big stories of the day

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday against growing hatred of Muslims, less than a month after a deadly attack on mosques in New Zealand killed at least 50 people.

His remarks came during a speech at Egypt's Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world's foremost religious institution, where he met Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb.&nbsp;

"Around the world, we are seeing ever-rising anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia," the UN secretary general said.&nbsp;

He cited the March 15 New Zealand mosque attacks by a white supremacist as well as a 2018 synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11 people and is believed to be the deadliest against Jews in US history.&nbsp;

Guterres warned of a surge in hate speech he said was "entering the mainstream, spreading like wildfire through social media".&nbsp;

"We see it spreading in liberal democracies and as well as in authoritarian states."

Guterres is on a two-day trip to Egypt, Following his visit to Al-Azhar, he was scheduled to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.&nbsp;

On Sunday, he attended an Arab League summit in Tunisia.&nbsp;

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday against growing hatred of Muslims, less than a month after a deadly attack on mosques in New Zealand killed at least 50 people.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday against growing hatred of Muslims, less than a month after a deadly attack on mosques in New Zealand killed at least 50 people. His remarks came during a speech at Egypt's Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world's foremost religious institution, where he met Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb. "Around the world, we are seeing ever-rising anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia," the UN secretary general said. He cited the March 15 New Zealand mosque attacks by a white supremacist as well as a 2018 synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11 people and is believed to be the deadliest against Jews in US history. Guterres warned of a surge in hate speech he said was "entering the mainstream, spreading like wildfire through social media". "We see it spreading in liberal democracies and as well as in authoritarian states." Guterres is on a two-day trip to Egypt, Following his visit to Al-Azhar, he was scheduled to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. On Sunday, he attended an Arab League summit in Tunisia.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warns against rising anti-Muslim hatred

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's eldest, Yair, has tweeted that Facebook blocked his page for 24 hours over apparent anti-Muslim posts and called the leading social network a "dictatorship".

In a message posted Thursday on his Facebook page after deadly Palestinian attacks, Yair Netanyahu had called for "all Muslims (to) leave" Israel.

"Do you know where there are no attacks? In Iceland and in Japan where coincidentally there are no Muslims," the prime minister's son wrote.

In another post, he wrote that there were only two possible solutions for peace, either "all Jews leave (Israel) or all Muslims leave". 
"I prefer the second option," he added.

His comments came after two soldiers were shot dead on Thursday at a central West Bank bus station near a settlement.

On the same day, a baby prematurely delivered after his mother was shot and wounded in a separate attack nearby on December 9 also died.

Facebook deleted Yair Netanyahu's posts, prompting him to take to Twitter to criticise the social networking giant, calling it a "dictatorship of thought".

Critics of the prime minister have often attacked Yair as a grown man living in the premier's residence despite having no official role and benefitting from a bodyguard, a driver and other perks.

They say the parents of the 27-year-old are grooming him for future political power in an attempt to establish a ruling dynasty.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's eldest, Yair, has tweeted that Facebook blocked his page for 24 hours over apparent anti-Muslim posts and called the leading social network a "dictatorship".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's eldest, Yair, has tweeted that Facebook blocked his page for 24 hours over apparent anti-Muslim posts and called the leading social network a "dictatorship". In a message posted Thursday on his Facebook page after deadly Palestinian attacks, Yair Netanyahu had called for "all Muslims (to) leave" Israel. "Do you know where there are no attacks? In Iceland and in Japan where coincidentally there are no Muslims," the prime minister's son wrote. In another post, he wrote that there were only two possible solutions for peace, either "all Jews leave (Israel) or all Muslims leave". "I prefer the second option," he added. His comments came after two soldiers were shot dead on Thursday at a central West Bank bus station near a settlement. On the same day, a baby prematurely delivered after his mother was shot and wounded in a separate attack nearby on December 9 also died. Facebook deleted Yair Netanyahu's posts, prompting him to take to Twitter to criticise the social networking giant, calling it a "dictatorship of thought". Critics of the prime minister have often attacked Yair as a grown man living in the premier's residence despite having no official role and benefitting from a bodyguard, a driver and other perks. They say the parents of the 27-year-old are grooming him for future political power in an attempt to establish a ruling dynasty.

Facebook temporarily banned Israel PM's son Yair Netanyahu for anti-Muslim posts

Celebrity Indian chef Atul Kochhar has gotten himself embroiled in a raging controversy due to his offensive tweet on Islam.&nbsp; 
 
Kochhar has been drawing a lot of criticism over his tweet to Priyank Chopra over her controversial show Quantico. Priyanka had issued an apology last week over an episode of her show that had shown 'Indian Nationalists' as a terrorist. In reply to Chopra's apology, Kochhar wrote, "It's sad to see that you have not respected the sentiments of Hindus who have been terrorised by Islam over 2000 years. Shame on you.(Sic)"

<img alt="atul kochhar.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/atul%20kochhar.jpg" width="770" /> 
 
The tweet instantly drew in attention for its derogatory tone and Kochhar was called out for it. While Kochhar did issue an apology soon after, the Internet wasn't yet ready to forgive him. 
 
Now the JW Marriott, Dubai has issued a statement stating that they have decided to end their agreement with him for one of their restaurants called Rang Mahal.&nbsp; 
 
"Following the recent comments made by Chef Atul Kochhar, we have taken the decision to end our agreement with him for Rang Mahal. With the termination of our agreement, Chef Atul will no longer be associated with the restaurant," Bill Keffer, general manager of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, reportedly told Gulf News Tabloid in an e-mail. 
 
The tweet has been taken down by Kochhar and he issued an apology on 11th June saying, "There is no justification for my tweet, a major error made in the heat of the moment on Sunday. &nbsp;I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded around 1,400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. &nbsp;I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many."&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://t.co/KRBFr44n0y">pic.twitter.com/KRBFr44n0y</a>
— Atul Kochhar (@atulkochhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/atulkochhar/status/1006587584179564544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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There is no justification for my tweet, a major error made in the heat of the moment on Sunday. I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded around 1,400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many.
— Atul Kochhar (@atulkochhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/atulkochhar/status/1006099306590474240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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While his ardent supporters and followers feel that he should not be attacked since he has apologised, others feel Kochhar was compelled to issue an apology due to his association with the five-star hotel in Dubai. Many have also threatened Kochhar that they would not be visiting&nbsp;his London restaurant 'The Benaras' following his anti-Islam tweet.

The celebrity chef drew severe criticism for tweeting in reply to Priyanka Chopra's apology tweet.

Celebrity Indian chef Atul Kochhar has gotten himself embroiled in a raging controversy due to his offensive tweet on Islam. Kochhar has been drawing a lot of criticism over his tweet to Priyank Chopra over her controversial show Quantico. Priyanka had issued an apology last week over an episode of her show that had shown 'Indian Nationalists' as a terrorist. In reply to Chopra's apology, Kochhar wrote, "It's sad to see that you have not respected the sentiments of Hindus who have been terrorised by Islam over 2000 years. Shame on you.(Sic)" The tweet instantly drew in attention for its derogatory tone and Kochhar was called out for it. While Kochhar did issue an apology soon after, the Internet wasn't yet ready to forgive him. Now the JW Marriott, Dubai has issued a statement stating that they have decided to end their agreement with him for one of their restaurants called Rang Mahal. "Following the recent comments made by Chef Atul Kochhar, we have taken the decision to end our agreement with him for Rang Mahal. With the termination of our agreement, Chef Atul will no longer be associated with the restaurant," Bill Keffer, general manager of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, reportedly told Gulf News Tabloid in an e-mail. The tweet has been taken down by Kochhar and he issued an apology on 11th June saying, "There is no justification for my tweet, a major error made in the heat of the moment on Sunday. I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded around 1,400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many." pic.twitter.com/KRBFr44n0y — Atul Kochhar (@atulkochhar) June 12, 2018 × There is no justification for my tweet, a major error made in the heat of the moment on Sunday. I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded around 1,400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many. — Atul Kochhar (@atulkochhar) June 11, 2018 × While his ardent supporters and followers feel that he should not be attacked since he has apologised, others feel Kochhar was compelled to issue an apology due to his association with the five-star hotel in Dubai. Many have also threatened Kochhar that they would not be visiting his London restaurant 'The Benaras' following his anti-Islam tweet.

Celebrity chef Atul Kochhar loses job at JW Marriott Dubai after his anti-Islam tweet draws criticism

By Roberta K. Timothy*

The recent news of Tina Fontaine’s trial and the acquittal of Gerald Stanley, a white farmer accused of killing a young Indigenous man, Colten Boushie, of the Red Pheasant First Nation are examples of the Canadian legal system’s commitment to the Indian Act and colonial dominance.

This ongoing colonial dominance has a transgenerational trauma impact on the health of Indigenous and colonized peoples.

Two recent examples that indicate the kind of violence that Black people experience: A school that allowed police to shackle a Black six-year old girl’s wrists and ankles a children’s aid system that put a child refugee from Somalia into foster care yet never applied for his Canadian citizenship, so years later he received deportation orders to a country where he does not speak the language.

The impact of this colonialism and anti-Black racism on the health of Black and Indigenous peoples is elongated and insidious. We navigate systems, structures and communities that perpetuate abhorrence towards us in all aspects of our lives.

Experiencing and fighting such systems for justice for our children, ourselves and our community members has devastating effects on our health.

As a health and human rights researcher, therapist and professor who has explored the deep implications of racism, I would like to share some insights into the impacts of racism on our health.

My hope is that by doing so I create dialogue and encourage communities to continue to voice their experiences of violence and racism — in order to demand changes and ultimately create more supports.

Violence is a continuum

Health indicator statistics of Indigenous communities report increasing disparities between Indigenous and settler populations. Systemic racism affects Indigenous population’s health in various ways, this includes limited healthy food choices, inadequate living conditions and substandard health care. The infant mortality rate within Indigenous communities is almost 12 times that of settler communities.

The statistics, usually presented by state authorities, come without context or consideration to the broad range of causes — one of which is the continued exposure to state violence on a daily basis.&nbsp

We have anecdotal evidence: We see loved ones, friends, ourselves and respected community leaders struggle with the emotional and physiological impacts of racism on a daily basis. While anti-Black racism’s effect on the health of Black communities is documented, studies from the U.S. are more illustrative.

In one U.S. study, researchers studied 1,574 Baltimore residents of which 20 per cent reported that they had been racially discriminated against “a lot.” This same group had higher systolic blood pressure than those who perceived they had been discriminated against very little. Additionally, over a five-year period the group that felt they had been discriminated against “a lot” had higher declines in kidney function.

In a 1997 to 2003 study on racial discrimination and breast cancer in U.S. Black women, researchers found that perceived experiences of racism resulted in increased incidents of breast cancer, especially among young Black women. In 2011, a pivotal study on the impact of racism on health scholars linked lifetime experiences of discrimination to higher prevalence of hypertension in African Americans.

Biases in research

These are just a few examples of some studies being done on the impact of racism on health. However, most studies have been conducted in the U.S., the U.K., New Zealand and Australia. Canada does not yet collect race-based health or experiences of racism on health data through any formal mechanism. This poses a problem when scholars are asked to produce “scientific data” to prove that racism impacts health inequities and disparities. How do you provide “statistically significant evidence” on the impact of anti-Black racism when systemic issues limits your access to collecting this same data? My future research proposes to support the collection of increased health data on the impact of anti-Black racism in Canada and globally.

In Black communities no one is immune from racism — from our unborn to our school age children to our elderly. Consciously and unconsciously our health becomes obstructed.

The impact on health intensifies for those in Black communities who are women, working class, lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans (LGBT), dis(abled), refugees or newcomers. Here, the combination of oppressions creates additional stress on mental and physical health and well-being. I call this intersectional violence.

For example, the massacre of Muslims in a Québec mosque and anti-Islam policies continue to further impact the health of marginalized, often surveilled communities. Two victims of the Québec massacre were Black. This fact is hardly mentioned. This is an example of anti-Black racism within communities of colour.

Health impacts from anti-Black racism and anti-Indigeneity are often dismissed or kept silent by health scholars and health-care workers. The findings challenge the illegitimacy of systems of dominance and question the humaneness and accountability of colonial power. As such, research on the health impact of anti-Black racism is underfunded and under researched.

The “realness” of health impacts related to racism interrupts narratives of the “disadvantaged,” the “poor,” the “lazy” and the “needy.” Such stereotypes re-victimize and further aggregate health inequities. Yet understanding racism as a determinant of health is important to understanding economic and social barriers to success.

When we fail to address the real impact of racism on Black communities’ health, we not only lose our community members to often preventable disease, illness, institutionalization and ultimately death, we also lose our opportunity for redress and to energetically participate in transnational anti-oppression movements.&nbsp

Health impacts

Experiencing racism throughout our lifespan can overwhelm our health functionality. Repetitive acts of untreated trauma and violence lead to debilitating health issues.

The impact of anti-Black racism within our educational system is well documented by our lived experiences and “unexplained” drop-out rates. The effect of prolonged injustice from junior kindergarten through to post-secondary education, can lead to exacerbated health conditions.

The under-recruiting and under-hiring of African/Black and Indigenous peoples in medicine, psychology, education, health and in academia directly affects the impact of racism on these same communities.

Adversely, the over-hiring of African/Black community members as personal support workers, health aids and child care workers with little opportunity to move into positions of power in these fields directly establishes a division between the “helper” and “the helped,” resembling enslavement roles where Africans served whites while living in conditions that gravely impacted their own health.

The impact of the over-representation of our children in state care on the health of Black families due to separation and transgenerational trauma is never measured.

As our children and elders endure acts of violence during vulnerable times in their lives, without protection or support, their grief response becomes hidden or dissociated. This leads to challenges in seeking and receiving health care which increases despairing health results.

The myth that Black people do not seek mental health therapy comes from a falsified notion of “super resiliency” instead of the reality of under-funded and purposely delayed services that prevent health and wellness in our communities. This leads to many community members suffering and seeking services in silence and isolation.

The burden on Black and colonized folks’ bodies, minds, spirits, health and wellness is all-encompassing.&nbsp

Possibilities for change

Having a provincial anti-racism directorate and local Toronto anti-Black racism action plan indicates a way forward. Much activism over many years resulted in these strategies getting put into action.

The directorate’s effectiveness will be measured in its implementation, the diversity of its members and its power to eliminate health disparities and address the health impacts of racism and violence on the daily lives of Black, Indigenous and racialized peoples.

Research funding needs to be increased. Universities need to hire scholars from communities who are directly impacted by racism and whose work address these health inequities — to support communities impacted by these same injustices.

What if the Afrocentric Alternative school, the only one in Canada, was well resourced and supported as a health strategy to combat the early stigmatization and violence experienced by school-aged Black children?

What if, in the case of the killing of the late Colten Boushie, the jury was not all white?

What if we looked to Black Live Matters as a public health racial justice movement trying to prevent further health atrocities?

What if we collected health data on the impact of racism - using both informal and formal research methods - empowered, developed and implemented by Black and colonized communities to create health equity programs and strategies to address our health disparities?&nbsp

*Roberta K. Timothy is an Assistant Lecturer at Global Health, Ethics and Human Rights School of Health, York University.&nbsp

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Witnessing and hearing stories about racism can impact your health. The feelings evoked can make you ill if not processed

By Roberta K. Timothy* The recent news of Tina Fontaine’s trial and the acquittal of Gerald Stanley, a white farmer accused of killing a young Indigenous man, Colten Boushie, of the Red Pheasant First Nation are examples of the Canadian legal system’s commitment to the Indian Act and colonial dominance. This ongoing colonial dominance has a transgenerational trauma impact on the health of Indigenous and colonized peoples. Two recent examples that indicate the kind of violence that Black people experience: A school that allowed police to shackle a Black six-year old girl’s wrists and ankles a children’s aid system that put a child refugee from Somalia into foster care yet never applied for his Canadian citizenship, so years later he received deportation orders to a country where he does not speak the language. The impact of this colonialism and anti-Black racism on the health of Black and Indigenous peoples is elongated and insidious. We navigate systems, structures and communities that perpetuate abhorrence towards us in all aspects of our lives. Experiencing and fighting such systems for justice for our children, ourselves and our community members has devastating effects on our health. As a health and human rights researcher, therapist and professor who has explored the deep implications of racism, I would like to share some insights into the impacts of racism on our health. My hope is that by doing so I create dialogue and encourage communities to continue to voice their experiences of violence and racism — in order to demand changes and ultimately create more supports. Violence is a continuum Health indicator statistics of Indigenous communities report increasing disparities between Indigenous and settler populations. Systemic racism affects Indigenous population’s health in various ways, this includes limited healthy food choices, inadequate living conditions and substandard health care. The infant mortality rate within Indigenous communities is almost 12 times that of settler communities. The statistics, usually presented by state authorities, come without context or consideration to the broad range of causes — one of which is the continued exposure to state violence on a daily basis. We have anecdotal evidence: We see loved ones, friends, ourselves and respected community leaders struggle with the emotional and physiological impacts of racism on a daily basis. While anti-Black racism’s effect on the health of Black communities is documented, studies from the U.S. are more illustrative. In one U.S. study, researchers studied 1,574 Baltimore residents of which 20 per cent reported that they had been racially discriminated against “a lot.” This same group had higher systolic blood pressure than those who perceived they had been discriminated against very little. Additionally, over a five-year period the group that felt they had been discriminated against “a lot” had higher declines in kidney function. In a 1997 to 2003 study on racial discrimination and breast cancer in U.S. Black women, researchers found that perceived experiences of racism resulted in increased incidents of breast cancer, especially among young Black women. In 2011, a pivotal study on the impact of racism on health scholars linked lifetime experiences of discrimination to higher prevalence of hypertension in African Americans. Biases in research These are just a few examples of some studies being done on the impact of racism on health. However, most studies have been conducted in the U.S., the U.K., New Zealand and Australia. Canada does not yet collect race-based health or experiences of racism on health data through any formal mechanism. This poses a problem when scholars are asked to produce “scientific data” to prove that racism impacts health inequities and disparities. How do you provide “statistically significant evidence” on the impact of anti-Black racism when systemic issues limits your access to collecting this same data? My future research proposes to support the collection of increased health data on the impact of anti-Black racism in Canada and globally. In Black communities no one is immune from racism — from our unborn to our school age children to our elderly. Consciously and unconsciously our health becomes obstructed. The impact on health intensifies for those in Black communities who are women, working class, lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans (LGBT), dis(abled), refugees or newcomers. Here, the combination of oppressions creates additional stress on mental and physical health and well-being. I call this intersectional violence. For example, the massacre of Muslims in a Québec mosque and anti-Islam policies continue to further impact the health of marginalized, often surveilled communities. Two victims of the Québec massacre were Black. This fact is hardly mentioned. This is an example of anti-Black racism within communities of colour. Health impacts from anti-Black racism and anti-Indigeneity are often dismissed or kept silent by health scholars and health-care workers. The findings challenge the illegitimacy of systems of dominance and question the humaneness and accountability of colonial power. As such, research on the health impact of anti-Black racism is underfunded and under researched. The “realness” of health impacts related to racism interrupts narratives of the “disadvantaged,” the “poor,” the “lazy” and the “needy.” Such stereotypes re-victimize and further aggregate health inequities. Yet understanding racism as a determinant of health is important to understanding economic and social barriers to success. When we fail to address the real impact of racism on Black communities’ health, we not only lose our community members to often preventable disease, illness, institutionalization and ultimately death, we also lose our opportunity for redress and to energetically participate in transnational anti-oppression movements. Health impacts Experiencing racism throughout our lifespan can overwhelm our health functionality. Repetitive acts of untreated trauma and violence lead to debilitating health issues. The impact of anti-Black racism within our educational system is well documented by our lived experiences and “unexplained” drop-out rates. The effect of prolonged injustice from junior kindergarten through to post-secondary education, can lead to exacerbated health conditions. The under-recruiting and under-hiring of African/Black and Indigenous peoples in medicine, psychology, education, health and in academia directly affects the impact of racism on these same communities. Adversely, the over-hiring of African/Black community members as personal support workers, health aids and child care workers with little opportunity to move into positions of power in these fields directly establishes a division between the “helper” and “the helped,” resembling enslavement roles where Africans served whites while living in conditions that gravely impacted their own health. The impact of the over-representation of our children in state care on the health of Black families due to separation and transgenerational trauma is never measured. As our children and elders endure acts of violence during vulnerable times in their lives, without protection or support, their grief response becomes hidden or dissociated. This leads to challenges in seeking and receiving health care which increases despairing health results. The myth that Black people do not seek mental health therapy comes from a falsified notion of “super resiliency” instead of the reality of under-funded and purposely delayed services that prevent health and wellness in our communities. This leads to many community members suffering and seeking services in silence and isolation. The burden on Black and colonized folks’ bodies, minds, spirits, health and wellness is all-encompassing. Possibilities for change Having a provincial anti-racism directorate and local Toronto anti-Black racism action plan indicates a way forward. Much activism over many years resulted in these strategies getting put into action. The directorate’s effectiveness will be measured in its implementation, the diversity of its members and its power to eliminate health disparities and address the health impacts of racism and violence on the daily lives of Black, Indigenous and racialized peoples. Research funding needs to be increased. Universities need to hire scholars from communities who are directly impacted by racism and whose work address these health inequities — to support communities impacted by these same injustices. What if the Afrocentric Alternative school, the only one in Canada, was well resourced and supported as a health strategy to combat the early stigmatization and violence experienced by school-aged Black children? What if, in the case of the killing of the late Colten Boushie, the jury was not all white? What if we looked to Black Live Matters as a public health racial justice movement trying to prevent further health atrocities? What if we collected health data on the impact of racism - using both informal and formal research methods - empowered, developed and implemented by Black and colonized communities to create health equity programs and strategies to address our health disparities? *Roberta K. Timothy is an Assistant Lecturer at Global Health, Ethics and Human Rights School of Health, York University. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Racism impacts your health

islamophobia

Islamophobia, News on Islamophobia, stories on Islamophobia, articles on Islamophobia, Islamophobia stories at Wion, Islamophobia news, Islamophobia latest news