PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and Turkiye have agreed to address Islamophobia and racism, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He announced on Thursday (Sept 21) that both countries will undertake various measures to tackle these issues. Anwar stated on his social media accounts that he and Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have decided to enhance cooperation and strategies to combat anti-Muslim hate groups worldwide. He emphasized the need for intensified efforts to clarify and address Islamophobia, as failing to do so may have negative consequences in the future, especially for the next generation.
Both leaders are currently attending the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. They recently held a bilateral meeting at the Turkish House. Anwar mentioned that Turkiye will implement these strategies in Europe and the Middle East, while Malaysia will focus on Asia.
Anwar also shared that they discussed the importance of increased bilateral cooperation in investment, trade, and specific projects like the terminal expansion at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (ISG) by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB). Additionally, they explored opportunities for defense ecosystem cooperation between the two countries.
Furthermore, Anwar mentioned that a series of conferences on addressing Islamophobia had already been organized and will continue in the future. He revealed that further discussions on this matter will take place during Erdogan’s visit to Malaysia in December.
In addition to conferences and explanatory sessions, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of reaching out to the global community through publications. One initiative involves publishing 100,000 copies of the Quran in various languages, including 15,000 copies translated into Swedish and sent to Sweden. Copies of the Quran have also been distributed to countries like Australia and the United States, as well as learning centers, universities, and mosques.
During their 30-minute meeting, both leaders issued a joint statement titled “Increasing Hatred, Intolerance, Discrimination and Acts of Violence Against Muslims and Their Sanctities.” In this statement, Anwar and Erdogan expressed their concerns about the growing threat of Islamophobia and instances of Quran burning in several European countries. They urged the United Nations and governments worldwide to enhance efforts toward promoting religious tolerance.
TAGS: Anwar, Quran, UN, Erdogan, Islamophobia
Credit: The Star : News Feed
