FM Jilani arrives at Pakistan’s UN mission; meets UNAOC envoy

NEW YORK: Foreign Minister of Pakistan Jalil Abbas Jilani met the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Miguel Moratinos on the margins of the 78th UNGA session in New York.

They discussed in detail the UNAOC’s mandate, work and potential areas of collaboration, in particular combatting Islamophobia and intolerance that stems from religious beliefs and interfaith dialogue to foster harmony among cultures and societies.

The Foreign Minister underscored that religious intolerance and Islamophobia are escalating globally, but the most vehement expression is evident in India.

He urged the UNAOC to intensify its initiatives to halt and reverse the tide of Islamophobia, bigotry, and discrimination grounded in religion and belief.

He also expressed his appreciation for the valuable work undertaken by the Alliance and the High Representative. In this context, he underscored the importance of unbiased and comprehensive reporting.

While encouraging interfaith and intercultural dialogue and exchange of ideas at the local, national and international levels, the High Representative reiterated the UNAOC’s readiness to promote continued dialogue and foster mutual respect and understanding, including on ways to combat Islamophobia.

Created in 2005, one of the core objectives of UNAOC has been to advance mutual respect for all cultures, traditions and religious beliefs.

It serves as a platform for bridging differences and alleviating inter-religious and inter-civilization discord.