The United Nations on Friday commemorated the first International Day to Combat Islamophobia with a special event in the General Assembly Hall, where speakers upheld the need for concrete action in the face of rising hatred, discrimination and violence against Muslims. The observation followed the unanimous adoption of an Assembly resolution last year that proclaimed March 15 as the international day, calling for global dialogue that promotes tolerance, peace and respect for human rights and religious diversity. As the UN secretary-general said the nearly two billion Muslims worldwide – who come from all corners of the planet – "reflect humanity in all its magnificent diversity. Yet, they often face bigotry and prejudice simply because of their faith." Also, Muslim women can also suffer "triple discrimination" because of their gender, ethnicity, and faith. The high-level event was co-convened by Pakistan, whose Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari underlined that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and pluralism. Although Islamophobia is not new, he said it is "a sad reality of our times" that is only increasing and spreading. "Since the tragedy of 9/11, animosity and institutional suspicion of Muslims and Islam across the world have only escalated to epidemic proportions. A narrative has been developed and peddled which associates Muslim communities and their religion with violence and danger," said Zardari, also chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers. "This Islamophobic narrative is not just confined to extremist, marginal propaganda, but regrettably has found acceptance by sections of mainstream media, academia, policymakers and state machinery." UN General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi said Islamophobia is rooted in xenophobia, or the fear of strangers, which is reflected in discriminatory practices, travel bans, hate speech, bullying and targeting of other people. He urged countries to uphold freedom of religion or belief, which is guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. "All of us carry a responsibility to challenge Islamophobia or any similar phenomenon, to call out injustice and condemn discrimination based on religion or belief – or the lack of them," he added. Read more: Top UN woman urges Muslims: Move Taliban into 21st century Kőrösi said education is key to learning why these phobias exist, and it can be "transformative" in changing how people understand each another. The growing hate that Muslims face is not an isolated development, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. "It is an inexorable part of the resurgence of ethno-nationalism, neo-Nazi white supremacist ideologies, and violence targeting vulnerable populations, including Muslims, Jews, some minority Christian communities and others," he added. "Discrimination diminishes us all. And it is incumbent on all of us to stand up against it. We must never be bystanders to bigotry.”" Stressing that"we must strengthen our defences," Guterres highlighted UN measures such as a Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites. He also called for ramping up political, cultural, and economic investments in social cohesion. Read more: No militant act undercover of Islam: PM "And we must confront bigotry wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head. This includes working to tackle the hate that spreads like wildfire across the internet." he added.    

Bangladesh has strongly condemned the recent act of desecrating the Holy Quran by a far-right activist in The Hague, Netherlands. Bangladesh has expressed grave concern over the incident and rejects any act of insulting the sacred values and religious symbols of the Muslims — for that matter of all religions — all over the world under any circumstances, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read more: Bangladesh condemns desecration of the Holy Quran by far-right activist in The Hague Bangladesh urged all concerned to put an end to such unwarranted provocations and Islamophobia for the sake of harmony and peaceful coexistence.

Thousands of people marched on Friday in support of a Canadian Muslim family run over and killed by a man driving a pick-up truck last Sunday in an attack the police described as a hate crime, reported The Indian Express. The four victims, spanning three generations, were killed when Nathaniel Veltman, 20, ran into them while they were out for an evening walk near their home. A fifth family member, a 9-year-old boy, survived. People in London, Ontario marched about 7 kilometers (4.4 miles) from the spot where the family was struck down to a nearby mosque, the site close to where Veltman was arrested by police. Some carried placards with messages reading ‘Hate has no home here’, ‘Love over hate.’ Similar events were held in other cities in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province.

Students and alumni of Jalalabad Cantonment Public School and College staged a protest in front of the campus against the removal of two teachers for not abiding by a dress code that extends to regulating facial hair/beards.   The two teachers have been identified as Abdul Halim, of the physics department, and Mujahidul Islam, of the ICT Department. They were allegedly suspended for keeping beards, and taking class in panjabis. Also read: India hopes Dhaka will address Hefazat's anti-Modi protests The protestors withdrew their program at 5 pm following a meeting with the college authorities, who denied suspending the lecturers. Rather, school authorities reminded them of the option to resign, in case of irreconcilable differences - in this case over abiding by the dress code.  Ariful Islam Reza, vice-principal of the college, explained as much to the agitated students on Saturday afternoon. He also mentioned that the news circulating in social media about their suspension was fake. Yet no-one was particularly bothered by the difference. Unsatisfied students continued their protest till evening. To them, the college has discriminated against the individuals on the basis of their religious adherence, and it being the overwhelming majority's faith, Islam, makes it even more unacceptable. To them, it signals a creeping Islamophobia. Also read: Protest against Modi’s visit: 50 injured as Muslim devotees, cops clash in Dhaka The demonstrations only ended on condition that the authorities reconsider the entire case, including the demands of protestors. 

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Saturday said madrasah education should be open to the people of all faiths to reduce islamophobia.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday called India as a state sponsor of hatred and prejudice against Islam, reports AP.