For et par måneder siden vedtog FN’s Generalforsamling ensstemmigt, at gøre 15. marts til ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’. Talsmand for beslutningen var repræsentanten for Pakistan, der på vegne af 57 islamiske lande i OIC fremlagde baggrunden for ønsket.

Islamofobi er ikke et veldefineret begreb, og som repræsentanten for Oman ærligt pointerede i debatten, så handler det reelt om at forbyde islamkritik. Flere vestlige lande kritiserede udkastet, men ingen stemte imod, og det blev således vedtaget uden videre.

Historien fra UN.org – General Assembly Unanimously Adopts Texts on Combating Islamophobia, Protecting Rangelands, Tackling Difficulties for Widows, Bicycles as Public Transportation.

“A resolution proclaiming 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly today…

The representative of Pakistan, introducing the resolution calling for establishing the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, said Islamophobia has emerged as a new form of racism that includes, among others, discriminatory travel bans, hate speech and the targeting of girls and women for their dress. The text called for expanded international efforts to create a global dialogue that will encourage tolerance and peace centred on respect for human rights and the diversity of religions and beliefs.

The representative of Guyana said the designation of an international day is an important way to counter Islamophobia and its negative trends, such as limited access to housing, education and employment. Global action will help counter increasing acts of violence against Muslims and Muslim communities around the world, she said.

However, the representative of France noted that Islamophobia has no agreed definition in international law. France supports the protection of all religions and beliefs, he said, adding that his delegation had proposed a text that endorsed the freedom of all religions and beliefs. The creation of an international day does not respond to concerns to counter all forms of discrimination, he stressed. …

Also speaking today were the representatives of Iran, Syria, India, Turkey, Indonesia, Algeria, Malaysia, Jordan, Qatar, Morocco, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United States. An observer for the Holy See also spoke.”

Mere

“Oman rejected any attempts targeting religious symbols, cautioning that it is unreasonable to exploit freedom of expression as a podium to offend religious symbols and ridicule the beliefs of others. … ‘Respect is a must, and so are rapprochement of thoughts and cooperation,’ said Oman, noting that the phenomenon of antagonizing Islam and Muslims has been escalating and impacting the lives of people and violating their rights around the world. ‘It is time this phenomenon is addressed rather than camouflaged under the pretext of freedom of expression. ….,’ Oman reiterated.” (The Arabian Stories, 17. marts 2022)

“Blasfemi bliver altså pakket ind i gummibegrebet islamofobi, som man også får til at handle om racisme og hate speech. På den måde kan man fortsat forsøge at stoppe blasfemi, men ved at kalde det for islamofobi, racisme og diskrimination i stedet. Og således er trylletricket fuldendt. Når OIC har held med deres strategi, skyldes det, at deres argumentation har en vis klangbund i Vesten. Særligt blandt dele af venstrefløjen (og ‘moderate’ imamer), som både under og efter Muhammedkrisen afviste spørgsmålet om ytringsfrihed og i stedet gjorde det til et spørgsmål om undertrykkelse af minoriteter. Dette forsøg på at ophæve forskellen mellem kritik af ideer (islam) og mennesker (muslimer) er vi nødt til at modstå ved enhver given lejlighed. Den skelnen er nemlig fuldstændig fundamental i et oplyst liberalt demokrati.” (Christian Marcussen, Berlingske, 11. april 2022)

“For islam er det en afgørende fordel, at ‘islamofobi’ ikke er et veldefineret begreb. Islamofobi er derfor alt, hvad der krænker en muslim. Og det er jo ikke så lidt. Islam består af tre komponenter: en personkult, et samfundssystem og en tro. Enhver oplevet krænkelse af en af disse komponenter er nu islamofobi. Kritiserer man den fanatiske personkult omkring islams profet, Muhammed eller det totalitære islamiske samfundssystem, er man islamofob, fordi den forurettede muslim vil altid påstå, at man har krænket hans tro. De vestlige demokratier er naive, uvidende om islams sande natur og falder derfor med usvigelig sikkerhed i OIC’s fælder gang på gang.” (Asger Aamund, Indblik, 14. april 2022)