The United Nations calls for combating the “rising wave” of intolerance and hatred against Muslims

On Monday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned:“We are facing a rising wave of anti-Muslim intolerance and hatred.” Confirming that “Exclusion shapes the daily lives of many Muslims.”

The Secretary-General’s speech came during a high-level event held on the occasion of International Day to Combat Islamophobia (Islamophobia), Which the United Nations commemorates annually on March 15.

In his speech, Guterres pointed out that discrimination against Muslims takes many forms, some of which are “blatant” and some are “hidden,” as he said: “Bias against (Muslims) may be blatant: institutional discrimination… social and economic marginalization… sweeping restrictions on immigration… and unjustified surveillance and profiling practices. But he can also come in disguise. In the form of opportunities that are silently denied… impressions that are left uncorrected… and questions laden with doubts.”

He explained that these practices – although they do not always make the headlines – are “It shapes people’s lives, undermines trust, and sends a clear message about who is considered part of society and who is viewed as an outsider.”

Responsibility of leaders and institutions

Guterres held those in power and technology companies directly responsible for confronting toxic speech, warning of the danger of creating bias and turning it into an institutional reality.

And he said: “When discriminatory narratives are repeated by those in positions of power, bias becomes normal. When stereotypes are left unchallenged, they take hold and become policies. When fear is allowed to guide decision-making, injustice follows.”

He stressed that laws and policies must “preserve equality, not entrench favoritism,” calling on technology companies to ensure that digital spaces are “a bridge for rapprochement and not a cause for division.”

A mirror of the unique diversity of humanity

The Secretary-General concluded his speech by linking the values ​​of the month of Ramadan to the principles of the United Nations, stressing that Muslims – whose number is approaching two billion people – represent… “A mirror of the unique diversity of humanity itself.”

He called on the world to be inspired by the values ​​of compassion, generosity, and responsibility towards society to build a better future, and concluded by saying“Let us reject narratives of fear and exclusion. Let us work together to eliminate the rising wave of hatred and intolerance towards Muslims and build a world based on respect, inclusion, justice and peace.”

A fertile environment for fanaticism to flourish

At the same event, the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Miguel Moratinos, urged greater global efforts to confront hatred, discrimination and intolerance against Muslim communities.

He said that the International Day to Combat Islamophobia reflects a growing awareness by the international community that hostility towards Muslims is part of a broader wave of racism and religious intolerance.

He added: “This day…reflects a growing awareness by the international community that hatred and discrimination directed against Muslims are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a deeply disturbing rise in racism and intolerance based on religion or belief.”

The UN envoy noted that commemorating this anniversary comes at a time when global tensions are characterized by escalating polarization and geopolitical divisions. In such circumstances, intolerance and the marginalization of others often flourish, as Muslim communities face discrimination, dehumanization, and social and economic restrictions because of their beliefs.

He warned that global conflicts and crises could fuel hate speech and increase the risk of attacks on Muslims and their places of worship. And he said: “These acts of violence not only violate basic human rights, but also threaten the prospects for peace and reconciliation.”

“Silence in the face of intolerance is not neutrality”

The UN envoy stressed that combating Islamophobia is not limited to protecting Muslim communities only, but also includes defending universal values, including human dignity, equality, and freedom of religion or belief, which are values ​​stipulated in United Nations Charter And the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

He also highlighted the importance of recent United Nations General Assembly resolutions addressing Islamophobia, and presented the efforts currently being made to develop a United Nations action plan, in cooperation with governments, civil society, religious leaders, and the media.

And he said: “Silence in the face of intolerance is not neutrality, but rather complicity.” Calling for a renewed global commitment to ensure that followers of all religions live in dignity, security and mutual respect.

Shared values ​​between religions are the basis of peaceful coexistence

President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock called for more effective global measures to confront Islamophobia, warning of continued discrimination and hostility against Muslims despite international efforts to promote tolerance and respect for religious diversity. She said that this day reflects a clear commitment by member states to reject hatred based on religion.

She said that this day also coincides with a period of spiritual reflection for billions of people around the world, as Muslims celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, and Christians celebrate the period of Great Lent.

added: “These traditions differ in their practices, but they remind us of our shared values: humility, compassion, self-control, and respect for others.” Pointing out that these values ​​reflect the principles of the United Nations as a platform that enables countries with different cultures and beliefs to work together for peaceful coexistence.

Equality in rights and dignity

At the same time, Annalena Baerbock stressed that religion should not be misused to justify human rights violations, noting that extremist groups have tried to cover up violence and discrimination with religious language.

She said: “Like any religion, Islam cannot be used as an excuse to violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms the equal rights and dignity of men and women.”

In this regard, she cited a quote by His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Who warned that restrictions imposed on women’s education contradict Islamic principles, saying: “Such prohibitions contradict the rights guaranteed by Islam to women and men alike.”

At the conclusion of her speech, the President of the General Assembly stressed that combating Islamophobia is not limited to protecting a specific group, but rather extends to defending comprehensive human dignity, adding that societies that uphold tolerance and respect are ultimately stronger, more stable, and more peaceful.

The human cost of anti-Muslim hatred

Permanent Observer of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Hamid Obiloyero also participated in the event and said: “Anti-Islamic rhetoric is becoming commonplace in political discourse, and new technologies – including AI-generated content and digital disinformation – are being used as a weapon to spread hate on an unprecedented scale.”

Ambassador Hamid Obiloyero pointed out that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s reports on Islamophobia document the increasing discrimination and violence affecting Muslim communities around the world.

He highlighted the huge human toll caused by hatred of Muslims, pointing to attacks on mosques, discriminatory policies, harassment in the workplace, and barriers to Muslims’ access to education in various countries.

He added that what is particularly worrying is the escalation of gender-based Islamophobia, which disproportionately targets Muslim women and exposes them to multiple types of discrimination.

Despite these challenges, the OIC remains committed to working with its partners to address this problem. Obiloyero explained that the organization is working to strengthen cooperation with member states, international organizations, and civil society, in addition to building partnerships with technology companies, educational institutions, and governments, to combat hate speech on the Internet and enhance legal protection.

And he said: “Let us remember that our diversity is the source of our strength.” Stressing that combating Islamophobia is not an issue that concerns Muslims alone,”Rather, it undermines human dignity, pluralism, and freedom of religion for all.”