HNW Celebrates International Day Against Islamophobia
Jakarta — Hidayat Nur Wahid, Deputy Chair of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR), marked the International Day Against Islamophobia, which falls on Sunday, 15 March.
According to a press statement received in Jakarta on Monday, Wahid, commonly known as HNW, attended an event organised by GNAI (National Anti-Islamophobia Movement) to commemorate the International Day Against Islamophobia at the DDII Building (Indonesian Islamic Preaching Council) in Jakarta.
HNW stated that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had previously proposed to the United Nations to designate 15 March as the International Day Against Islamophobia. However, he argued that whilst this is a positive development, the observance must be accompanied by concrete action rather than remaining purely ceremonial.
“The OIC’s proposal was unanimously approved by the UN General Assembly, establishing 15 March as the International Day Against Islamophobia. However, this positive outcome must be monitored and acted upon to be effective, and not merely remain as a decision on paper and ceremonial gesture,” HNW explained in the press statement.
HNW stated that the necessary follow-up action requires the OIC to take the initiative to encourage member states to enact regulations, particularly at the legislative level, to address anti-Islamophobia measures. Indonesia, according to HNW, should be a pioneer in developing such legislation.
“Indonesia’s position, as conveyed by the Minister of Religion, strongly supports the existence of an International Day Against Islamophobia, and alongside this, the OIC should campaign to UN member states that have endorsed the UN Resolution establishing the International Day Against Islamophobia,” explained HNW.
HNW further noted that each country should develop regulations based on law enforcement and justice principles. He emphasised this is necessary because several Western countries have already enacted anti-Semitism laws protecting Jewish communities from hatred. Therefore, similar provisions should be enacted and applied to Islam and its followers.
Notably, since the UN established the International Day Against Islamophobia, incidents of Islamophobia have not decreased but have instead increased. HNW expressed hope that anti-Islamophobia regulations could be campaigned for and pursued until successfully adopted in many countries, thereby reducing more severe behaviours that disturb global peace.
He cited the examples of Israel’s colonisation and genocide of Palestinians, as well as military attacks on Iran, which he described as manifestations of Islamophobia demonstrated by Israeli leaders such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Grave crimes would not occur if Islamophobia could be prevented and corrected from the outset. At minimum, this would foster harmony and friendship among the world’s people through the establishment of justice and the correction of discrimination, hate speech, and violence against Muslims in Gaza, Palestine, and across the world,” HNW concluded.