Muslim states push for UN action on 'Islamophobia'
UNITED NATIONS — Muslim governments on Wednesday pressed the United Nations to step up investigations of Western countries to root out what they call "Islamophobia" — defined by them as discrimination against people of the Muslim faith.
Delegates from Islamic countries, such as Egypt, Iran and Pakistan, drafted new guidelines for the UN's freedom-of-religion investigator that say Western diplomats aim to shield Islam from commentary Muslims might deem derogatory.
During a debate in front of the UN Human Rights Council, they also charged that the UN's anti-racism investigator — in a report he tabled about his activities — had not focused enough on what they called the rising incidence of discrimination against Muslims in Western countries.
According to the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the anti-racism investigator should focus on what it called "contemporary" racism, "particularly in Western societies."
The group said Islamophobia was growing "particularly in the countries of the North."
Egypt and Libya also charged that Muslims were targets of racism and discrimination in Western countries.
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Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Muslim+states+push+action+Islamophobia/3163205/story.html#ixzz0r4bQn3tT
(Reproduced under the Fair Dealings provisions of the Copyright Act)
UNITED NATIONS — Muslim governments on Wednesday pressed the United Nations to step up investigations of Western countries to root out what they call "Islamophobia" — defined by them as discrimination against people of the Muslim faith.
Delegates from Islamic countries, such as Egypt, Iran and Pakistan, drafted new guidelines for the UN's freedom-of-religion investigator that say Western diplomats aim to shield Islam from commentary Muslims might deem derogatory.
During a debate in front of the UN Human Rights Council, they also charged that the UN's anti-racism investigator — in a report he tabled about his activities — had not focused enough on what they called the rising incidence of discrimination against Muslims in Western countries.
According to the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the anti-racism investigator should focus on what it called "contemporary" racism, "particularly in Western societies."
The group said Islamophobia was growing "particularly in the countries of the North."
Egypt and Libya also charged that Muslims were targets of racism and discrimination in Western countries.
article continues
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Muslim+states+push+action+Islamophobia/3163205/story.html#ixzz0r4bQn3tT
(Reproduced under the Fair Dealings provisions of the Copyright Act)