ISLAMABAD: A group of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states on Tuesday discussed the upcoming commemoration of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia with senior United Nations officials, with Pakistan’s envoy describing the observance as a symbol of global solidarity against prejudice, hostility and discrimination directed at Muslims worldwide.

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed annually on March 15, following its designation by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022, aimed at raising awareness of discrimination and violence targeting Muslims and promoting tolerance and inclusion.

Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said representatives of the OIC Core Group on Islamophobia met Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly, along with the UN Special Envoy on Islamophobia and the High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

“The International Day holds immense significance for the OIC and symbolizes global solidarity in combating Islamophobia,” Pakistan’s top diplomat at the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said during the meeting.

The OIC Core Group at the UN is an informal coordination bloc of Muslim countries that works within the United Nations system to align positions, draft statements and lead negotiations on issues of shared concern to OIC member states.

According to the Pakistani mission, the Core Group exchanged views with the General Assembly president on plans to mark the upcoming commemoration and ways to strengthen international engagement around the issue.

Ambassador Iftikhar recalled that the first such observance was held in 2023 under Pakistan’s chairmanship of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, followed by commemorations in 2024 and 2025.

He also welcomed the contributions of the UN Special Envoy in advancing international efforts to address anti-Muslim prejudice and promote tolerance.