Iran Press/ Iran News: Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN, Zahra Ershadi held on Wednesday said: "The demonization of Islam is basically done by simplifying the concept of Islam and portraying it, as the religion of discrimination.
"Throughout history, the western media has been trying to distort Islam by spreading falsehoods about our religion and claiming that women are hugely discriminated against, She added.
But this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, Islam places great importance on the rights and dignity of women, and this has been the case since the very beginning," Ershadi said.
Iran's deputy envoy added: "From the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), women played an active and significant role in the spread of Islam. They were scholars, teachers, and leaders in their communities.
Ershadi further explained: "Islam and the Holy Quran place a high value on the contribution that women make to society and uphold their rights and opportunities.
She added: "Muslim women have historically made major contributions to Islamic civilization in a variety of fields. But we are witnessing practices and outlandish, outright false anti-women narratives from Islam that are against the Islamic teachings and discriminate against women."
Taliban Measures are a violation of women's rights
Iran envoy said: For instance, the recent prohibitions and restrictions that Afghan women and girls have been subjected to by de-facto authorities that prevent them from accessing education are regarded as a violation of women's rights and go against the fundamental teachings of Islam that place a high value on the education of both men and women."
According to the Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN: " Increasing Islamophobia in Europe has been a critical driver of the rise in bans on headscarves, and other items of clothing worn by Muslim women.
She added: Religious dress bans exclude Muslim women and girls from workplaces, educational and government institutions, and public spaces, standing in the way of pluralism and equality, fundamental values safeguarded in multiple European treaties."
"Muslim women have been disproportionately affected by anti-Muslim policies, discrimination, marginalization, hate speech, violence, humiliation, intimidation, and harassment. It is paramount that those advocating for human rights and urging that no one be left behind take some concrete steps and undertake serious measures in order to overcome such challenges.', stated she.
She concluded: "In the light of Islam's encouragement of women's empowerment and participation in decision-making processes, we as OIC members must provide women's empowerment priority by recognizing and resolving the root causes, and anti-Muslim prejudice.
"We must intensify our efforts to raise public awareness of the negative effects of these practices as well as inside the UN intergovernmental processes in order to achieve this end. This can be done by promoting more inclusive and equal engagement for all Muslim women, Ershadi said.
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Ershadi: Iran remains committed to promoting women's rights
