Latest news with #InternationalDayforCounteringHateSpeech
Middle East
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// PM: Awqaf Ministry's new digital platform seeks to renew foundations of religious discourse
CAIRO, June 18 (MENA) - The Awqaf Ministry's new digital platform, a purely national project, aims to contribute to renewing the foundations and pillars of religious discourse in a modern interactive manner that keeps pace with contemporary digital technologies, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said. The project is part of the state's digital transformation strategy, Madbouli added during a news briefing held in the presence of the Awqaf minister, who announced the official launch of the new platform, following the Cabinet weekly meeting on Wednesday. The premier described the new digital platform as a significant shift in improving the ministry's performance and enhancing its services, highlighting the diversity of topics and richness of services on the ministry's platform, which would contribute to advancing human building efforts in the new republic at the intellectual and spiritual levels. Meanwhile, Awqaf Minister Osama el Azhari said the launch of the digital platform coincides with the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, observed annually on June 18. The platform is based on the ministry's four-part strategy, which focuses on confronting religious and irreligious extremism and contributing to character building and civilizational revival, the minister pointed out. The new platform features three main phases, the first of which was launched today, with an unlimited room for scale-up. The world's largest religious platform is meant to achieve all its milestones up to sustainability by mid-2027, the minister said. The first phase includes 60,000 pages, making it the biggest religious platform in the world. By the end of all milestones, the platform is meant to hit a staggering count of several million pages. The platform approaches religious issues from various angles, including legal, linguistic, philosophical, sociological, medical, historical, and other perspectives. It adopts a moderate line of thought that seeks to promote the true, great values of Islam. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and chatbot features are to be expected as part of the operational and interactive functions of phase three of the platform. The platform also includes a special section for an initiative dubbed "Correct Your Concepts," a strategic scientific project for reshaping consciousness, reviving right concepts, and dispelling misconceptions, to build a free, believing, rational human being who can contribute to civilization-building, the minister said. This initiative will be launched next week under the auspices of the prime minister, Azhari noted. (MENA) M A A/S R E
Libyan Express
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
UN envoy warns against divisive rhetoric in Libya
BY Libyan Express Jun 20, 2025 - 05:45 UN stresses dialogue to overcome Libya's divisions The United Nations' senior envoy to Libya has issued a grave warning about the damaging impact of hate speech on the country's delicate peace process and national unity. Speaking on the occasion of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, Hanna Tetteh, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya, emphasised the urgent need to tackle divisive rhetoric that risks deepening the nation's political and social divisions. 'In a context marked by intense political polarisation and a fragile security situation, hate speech—particularly when based on regional, tribal or ethnic differences—represents a serious barrier to Libya's efforts towards reconciliation and stability,' Tetteh said in a powerful statement. She called on all stakeholders—including government bodies, media professionals, social media platforms and civil society organisations—to unite in promoting inclusive and respectful dialogue that counters incitement and fosters mutual understanding. Tetteh also highlighted the significant role of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, stressing that these tools must be used responsibly to support peacebuilding initiatives and combat the spread of misinformation rather than inflame existing tensions. 'Libya's future hinges on a collective rejection of hate and intolerance,' she affirmed. 'Only through unity, justice and sustained dialogue can the country secure lasting peace for all its people.' The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libya Observer
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UN envoy: Hate speech threatens Libya's unity and stability
The UN's top envoy to Libya has warned that hate speech is undermining peace efforts and poses a serious threat to national unity. Hanna Tetteh, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative, issued the warning on Wednesday to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. 'In the context of political polarization and a fragile security situation, hate speech – especially when based on regional, tribal or ethnic lines – is a real threat to efforts to unify the country and achieve stability,' Tetteh said in a statement. She called for a collective response from state institutions, media professionals, social platforms, and civil society to promote inclusive dialogue and replace incitement with respectful communication. Tetteh also stressed the importance of using modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, to support peace rather than fuel division or misinformation. 'We must stand against hate and work together for a Libya founded on unity, justice, and lasting peace,' she said. Tags: Hanna Tetteh Hate Speech
Arab Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Hatred, disrespect rampant on media
KUWAIT CITY, June 19: President of the Women's Institute for Development and Peace Attorney Kawthar Al-Joaan said the social media channels are rife with bullying, violence and hurtful language. In a statement on the occasion of International Day for Countering Hate Speech, which falls on June 18 of each year Al-Joaan pointed out that verbal violence is spreading among students amidst the lack of media and cultural awareness. She called for a commitment to use technological channels and artificial intelligence as tools for spreading good, love and peace, not destruction, hatred and war. She disclosed that hate speech is more widespread today than ever before, considering the proliferation of social media networks and the use of artificial intelligence. 'Hatred and disrespect for others have spread as well. Disagreement has disappeared and been replaced by manifestations of fanaticism, tribalism and a decline in cultural standards,' she asserted. She explained that 'the human values brought by Islam urge us to love one another, so that we may live together in love and brotherhood; recognizing the importance of human values in uniting peoples and societies and respecting others while rejecting hatred, violence, killing and wars. Islam emphasizes the importance of respecting all aspects of humanity. Since its inception, it has carried the torch of goodness, love and peace; rejecting division and fanaticism, and encouraging people to live together in peace.' She added Article 36 of the Constitution stipulates that 'freedom of opinion is guaranteed, and every person has the right to express his opinion verbally, in writing or otherwise under the conditions and procedures stipulated by law. Let us all work together to maintain security, prosperity and peace for our society and all other human societies.'
New York Times
18-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
FIFA displays anti-racism messaging at Club World Cup after backlash to campaign roll back
FIFA displayed anti-racism and discrimination messaging at the Club World Cup for the first time on Wednesday to mark International Day for Countering Hate Speech following a backlash to its decision to roll back its campaigns against racism and discrimination across the opening three days of the tournament in the United States. Advertisement A video explaining FIFA's anti-racism protocols and the organisation's 'universal anti-racism gesture' was played before Wednesday's group stage fixture between Manchester City and Wyad AC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, while anti-racism messages were displayed on advertising hoardings at Hard Rock Stadium before Real Madrid played Al Hilal in the day's later fixture. FIFA sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated the messaging would only be in place on Wednesday for International Day for Countering Hate Speech and not throughout the rest of the tournament. The Athletic reported on Monday that, according to multiple sources briefed on FIFA's planning for the tournament, world football's governing body did develop promotional materials in the months leading up to the tournament for their 'no racism' and 'no discrimination' campaign but it has not been visible during the opening round of fixtures at the tournament in stadiums or on social media platforms. This represented a roll back of the messaging previously seen at FIFA events such as the women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 and the men's World Cup in Qatar in 2022. FIFA declined to comment when asked if the current political climate in the U.S. played any part in its decision amid hostility towards companies who support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. FIFA was subsequently accused of 'throwing its weight behind the MAGA (Make America Great Again, the political slogan most recently popularised by President Donald Trump) project' by Nick McGeehan of FairSquare, an advocacy group focused on human rights, while other campaign groups expressed their disappointment and called for a reverse of the decision. The Athletic has asked FIFA if Wednesday's campaign was pre-planned, but FIFA had not responded by the time of publication. In its response to The Athletic's initial story, FIFA did not outline that it was intending to show the anti-racism messaging video to mark International Day for Countering Hate Speech. It also did not include any commitment to their anti-racism or anti-discrimination campaigns, mentioning only their commitment to the FIFA 'Football Unites the World' campaign and saying that FIFA has a zero tolerance policy against racism. Advertisement Neither the European Club Association (ECA), who represent the interests of clubs who compete in UEFA competitions and who have played a part in commercializing the Club World Cup with FIFA, nor players' union FIFPro, were consulted about the absence of anti-discrimination campaigns at the tournament and found out about the rollback when it was reported in the media. Kick It Out, a leading UK anti-discrimination charity, said it was 'concerning' for the messaging to be excluded from this summer's tournament. 'As has been demonstrated by Angel City, football has a unique power in bringing communities together, and visibility of FIFA's anti-discrimination campaigns while the world is watching is crucial in helping this cause,' the charity said. 'We would urge FIFA to reverse its decision and sincerely hope this is not a sign of things to come at the World Cup next year.' A FIFA spokesperson on Monday said: 'FIFA has a firm, zero-tolerance stance against all forms of discrimination and racism. This commitment was recently reinforced through the unanimous approval by the FIFA Council of the revised FIFA Disciplinary Code, which introduces new measures to fight racist abuse — including increased minimum bans for racist incidents and enhanced financial penalties as duly informed to the 75th FIFA Congress in Asuncion in May 2025.'
