UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres has called on governments, institutions, and communities worldwide to step up efforts against Islamophobia and safeguard Muslims from discrimination, hostility, and violence
Speaking on Sunday to mark the United Nations’ International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres warned that prejudice against Muslims undermines social cohesion, violates human rights, and weakens efforts to build peaceful and inclusive societies globally.
He highlighted that the world’s two billion Muslims represent diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, contributing significantly to global development through education, commerce, science, culture, and public service.
“Yet they often face institutional discrimination, socio-economic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance and 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,” he said.
Guterres cautioned that unchecked hate speech, misinformation, and stereotypes risk deepening societal divisions and threatening peaceful coexistence among different faiths and cultures. He urged governments to adopt concrete measures to tackle hate speech, uphold religious freedom, and combat discrimination in line with international human rights law.
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