The Muslim World League (MWL) commends, in-principle, the recently announced US national strategy to combat Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate. This initiative represents a step towards mutual respect and understanding, fostering the principles and values that bind together diverse religious, ethnic, and cultural communities.
The MWL values the role of the US government in recognizing the existence of unfounded Islamophobia and Anti-Arab hate, rooted in hatred and inherent racism. The MWL also acknowledges the US government's efforts to address the growing wave of bias and discrimination that continues to affect some Muslims and Arabs across the country. The MWL highlighted that Islamophobia has significantly harmed many Muslim communities for decades, with violent hate crimes targeting places of worship, women, and children, leaving countless innocent victims in its wake.
The MWL emphasized that the fundamental principle of prioritizing the fight against this bigotry deserves commendation in principle, pending the determination to implement it efficiently and achieve the intended goal. The Muslim World League calls for the implementation of the Strategy and the taking of steps to improve it in consultation with the Muslim community in the United States, particularly with the Council of Muslim Religious Leaders in the Americas, headquartered in Washington D.C.
His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, stated, "Islamophobia and Anti-Arab hate resulting in racial bias, abuse, and violence targeting their dignity, security, and existence are not merely issues faced by Muslims and Arabs alone; the hatred strikes the social fabric of nations." He added, "Such a declaration was needed for a long time, as it is needed right now as well, but it is better late than never. The challenges we face today affect the social fabric of countries with diverse religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. We commend this strategy, which offers a strong glimmer of hope for Muslims and Arabs; they have faced painful forms of marginalization, discrimination, attacks on dignity, and sometimes violence."
The Muslim World League and the Organization of Muslim Scholars emphasize the urgent need for cooperative and collaborative participation among policymakers, civil society, and religious leaders, both individually and institutionally, to ensure the successful implementation of the strategy in accordance with the aspirations we all share.
As an international non-governmental organization committed to promoting peace, coexistence, and harmony among followers of different religions, ethnicities, and cultures, and with a track record of effective initiatives to build bridges between people, the Muslim World League, through its global councils, bodies, and assemblies, remains steadfast in its support for this strategy and similar ones whose stated goal is to strengthen social cohesion and preserve the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. The MWL wishes that this strategy will be a step towards the appointment of a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia; with anti-Muslim sentiment rising alarmingly, nearly two billion people worldwide are facing hatred, which undermines global peace and societal harmony, and go against the notion of a civilized world.
Together, we can continue working towards a future free from hatred, where diversity is celebrated as a source of strength, just as we celebrated the groundbreaking appointment of the Coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred by the European Commission.
