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Fighting violence in all ways and shapes: Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi

Fighting violence in all ways and shapes: Ghulam Rasool DehlviThe World Sufi Forum (WSF), an umbrella body of Indian Sufi-oriented Muslims, wrote a letter to the UN Chairman, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the European Union ( EU) and other foreign bodies on 3 September 2018. In this letter the WSF called for international legislation to be enforced against disrespecting holy prophets and religious personalities. This letter was written in the wake of Netherlands (Holland) ‘s recent botched attempt to draw contemptuous cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

In accordance with UNHRC Resolution 16/18 guidelines, the WSF urged the UN to speak out against misconceived racial designs to defame, denigrate or insult the sacred identities of every heritage of faith. It called on the international community to fight negative stereotyping and stigmatization of any faith group and its members, prejudice and incitement to violence as per UN Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 adopted in March 2011. “At international level, it has become unavoidable to make laws to curb the contemptuous and insensitive conduct towards the holy prophets and holy personalities in the future,” he wrote. “The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the European Union must prevent any potential blasphemous action against Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him), leading to an atmosphere of conflict, discord and misery in the Muslim world,” he said.

It is time for the international community to curb these factors that only benefit religious extremists who are looking for these ‘opportunities’ to seek justification for their violence.

The recent cancelation of the cartoon contest organized by the anti-Islam Wilders Geer resulted only in the rise of radical ideas and parties. It not only halted the global efforts of moderate Muslims to achieve peace but also reinforced the underfoot extremist narratives in social media.

Although there is a need for further openness, respect for cultural and religious diversity and increased discourse at all levels, all types and manifestations of extremism must be combated.

The WSF stresses this in its letter to the UN Secretary, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the European Union ( EU) and other foreign bodies,

  • If the goal of global peace is to be achieved, it is the duty of the United Nations and all international bodies to enact clear and manifest laws to punish the blasphemy of holy prophets and other characters.
  • This should be limited not only to the formulation of laws, but also to the translation of the requisite laws into effect, letter and spirit.
  • Freedom of speech should be redefined to protect the environment from conflicts between civilisations. Any disrespectful or contemptuous conduct towards the Holy Prophets can not by any legal imagination be considered ‘freedom of speech.’ Rather, it is a violation of the fundamental right of professing any religion, love and respect for its holy characters.
  • Nothing will save the world from fostering religious extremism and plunging into another ‘clash of civilizations’ if the United States, the European Union and other international organizations did not tackle this highly sensitive question.
  • Peaceful and true prophet-loving Muslims have exercised utmost patience and restraint on numerous occasions when blasphemous, objectionable and immoral material was published against the Prophet of Islam so that international peace could remain intact.
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