Islamophobia has grown at an alarming pace after the 9/11attacks and is creating divisions, with wearing of hijab becoming a"weapon" against the community in some countries, Pakistan PrimeMinister Imran Khan said here on Friday.
Khan, who is currently on a week-long visit to the US, delivered his maiden address to the United Nations General Assembly and touched upon several issues, including climate change, money laundering, and Islamophobia.
Khan said billions of Muslims were living as minorities inthe western countries and since 9/11 attacks Islamophobia had grown at an"alarming" pace.
"Islamophobia is creating divisions, hijab is becominga weapon; a woman can take off clothes but she can't put on more clothes. Itstarted after 9/11 and it started because certain western leaders equated Islamwith terrorism," he said.
Khan questioned the use of the term 'radical Islamicterrorism', saying there is only one Islam.
"There is no such thing as radical Islam," hesaid, pointing out that all religions have individuals carrying out radicalacts.
"The basis of all religions is compassion and justicewhich differentiates us from the animal kingdom," he said.
Khan said the radical Islamic terrorism used by leaders hascaused Islamophobia and pain for Muslims.
Khan's remarks came a day after he announced that Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia have decided to jointly launch an English language Islamic television channel to correct misperceptions and confront the challenges posed by Islamophobia.
"President Erdogan, PM Mahatir and I had a meeting today in which we decided our 3 countries would jointly start an English language channel dedicated to confronting the challenges posed by Islamophobia and setting the record straight on our great religion – Islam," Khan said in a tweet.
"Misperceptions which bring people together against Muslims would be corrected; the issue of blasphemy would be properly contextualized; series and films would be produced on Muslim history to educate/inform our own people and the world; Muslims would be given a dedicated media presence," he added.