ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has renewed its call at the United Nations on the need for an “action plan” to tackle Islamophobia and raised the issue of an “alarming rise” in attacks on mosques and other Islamic sites, particularly in “territories under foreign occupation,” the state-run APP news agency said on Wednesday.
Additional Foreign Secretary Imran Ahmed Siddiqui represented Pakistan at 10th UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Global Forum, the UNAOC High Level Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting and the Global Conference on safeguarding religious sites held in Cascais, Portugal, with the ambassador of Pakistan to Portugal, Khalid Ejaz, part of the Pakistan delegation.
“Siddiqui reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to combating this scourage of Islamophobia,” APP reported about his address at the UNAOC forum.
“At the same time, he reiterated Pakistan’s deep concern over the continued rise of Islamophobia, as manifested in the continued desecration of religious symbols, demolition of mosques and other Islamic religious and heritage sites, hate speech and disturbing attacks on Muslims, particularly in the territories under foreign occupation.”
The statement comes amid the ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza, which has resulted in significant destruction and damage to numerous religious sites including mosques and churches.
By March this year, more than 1,000 mosques had been destroyed by Israeli attacks.
Hundreds of imams and religious scholars have also been killed as a result of the campaign in Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has said about 300 Islamic scholars, including Qur’an teachers, Islamic preachers and imams, have been killed in strikes.
At UN forum, Pakistan raises alarm over attacks on mosques in occupied territories
https://arab.news/m57xr
At UN forum, Pakistan raises alarm over attacks on mosques in occupied territories
- Statement comes amid ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza where nearly 1,000 mosques have been destroyed
- Palestinian Religious Affairs Ministry has said about 300 Islamic scholars have been killed in the military strikes
Daesh media chief for ISKP in Pakistan’s custody — state media
- Sultan Aziz Azzam, a senior member of ISKP, used to head its Al Azzam media outlet, says state media
- Azzam was arrested in May while attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, says state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have taken into custody Sultan Aziz Azzam, the head of Daesh regional affiliate ISKP’s media outlet, state media reported on Thursday citing intelligence sources.
The state-run Pakistan TV Digital reported that Azzam was a senior member of ISKP and hailed from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. As per the state media report, he is also a graduate of the University of Nangarhar where he studied Islamic jurisprudence.
Pakistan TV Digital reported Azzam joined ISKP in 2016 and later became a prominent member of its leadership council.
“He was arrested in May 2025 while attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan,” Pakistan TV Digital reported, citing intelligence sources.
“He is believed to have overseen media operations and headed ISKP’s Al Azzam media outlet.”
In November 2021, Washington listed Azzam as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT). The move bars American citizens from engaging in transactions with persons designated as SDGTs.
According to a report on the UN Security Council’s website, Azzam has played an “instrumental role” in spreading Daesh’s violent ideology, glorifying and justifying “terrorist acts.”
“Building on his former experience as an Afghan journalist, his activity as ISIL-K’s spokesperson has increased ISIL-K’s visibility and influence among its followers,” the report states.
The report further states Azzam claimed responsibility on behalf of Daesh for the suicide attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021, which killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 US service members and injured 150 more.
The development takes place amid tense relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad alleging militants use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations.
Tensions surged in October when Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in fierce border clashes, claiming to have killed dozens of soldiers of the other side.
Pakistan has urged the Afghan Taliban-led government to take “decisive action” against militants it says operate from its soil. Afghanistan says it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s security challenges.
