United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called on governments, institutions, and communities worldwide to step up efforts to fight Islamophobia and safeguard Muslims from discrimination, hostility, and violence.
He cautioned that bias against Muslims not only threatens social cohesion but also undermines human rights and hampers initiatives to foster peaceful and inclusive societies globally.
The UN chief delivered his message on Sunday in recognition of the United Nations’ International Day to Combat Islamophobia, an annual observance.
Highlighting the diversity of the Muslim population, he noted that the world’s two billion Muslims represent a wide array of cultures, languages, and traditions, underscoring the richness of humanity.
“Muslim communities contribute significantly to global development through education, commerce, science, culture, and public service in many countries,” he said.
However, he emphasized that Muslims frequently encounter institutional discrimination, social and economic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and undue surveillance or profiling.
“These worrying trends are fuelled by anti-Muslim rhetoric and outright hate, which can lead to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship,” Mr. Guterres added.
He warned that allowing hate speech, misinformation, and stereotypes to go unchecked could deepen divisions and jeopardize peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and cultures.
The UN chief urged governments to implement concrete measures to counter hate speech, protect religious freedoms, and fight discrimination in accordance with international human rights standards.
He reaffirmed that laws and policies must guarantee equal rights and protection for all individuals, irrespective of religion, belief, ethnicity, or background.
Mr. Guterres also called on tech companies and online platforms to strengthen safeguards against digital campaigns spreading hate toward religious communities.
He stressed that social media platforms must act responsibly to remove harmful content and prevent harassment based on religion or belief.
“All people must speak out against bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination wherever they find it,” he said, adding that silence allows prejudice to grow and weakens collective efforts to foster tolerant societies.
“That is why in May 2025 I appointed the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia,” the secretary-general noted.
The envoy is tasked with enhancing global cooperation and coordinating international initiatives to address Islamophobia effectively.
“On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, let us recommit to equality, human rights, and dignity for every person, regardless of faith. Let us eradicate the scourge of Islamophobia from every country and community,” Mr. Guterres concluded.
