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Islamophobia undermines human rights and social cohesion

Intolerance and discrimination against Muslims have existed for a long time, but have intensified in recent years due to factors such as the ¡°war on terror,¡± economic insecurity, and growing diversity in many societies. Media narratives and political rhetoric have often fuelled fear and resentment by portraying Muslims as extremists and a threat to security. This ¡°us versus them¡± mindset, combined with limited cultural understanding, reinforces harmful stereotypes.

As a result, many Muslims face discrimination including verbal and physical attacks, religious profiling, unequal access to jobs, housing, health care and education, and limits on expressing their religion publicly. They may also experience overlapping discrimination based on ethnicity, economic status, citizenship, and gender.

Islamophobia violates the principles enshrined in the UN Charter

UN Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres has repeatedly condemned the continuing acts of anti-Muslim hatred and bigotry around the world, pointing out that this troubling trend poses a threat not only to Muslims but to the rights and freedoms of all groups. To combat it, Mr. Guterres believes that it is essential for governments to promote social cohesion and protect religious freedom, for online platforms to tackle hate speech, and for individuals to actively oppose bigotry and xenophobia.

In response to the alarming trend of rising hate speech around the world, the Secretary-General launched in 2019 the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.  The #NoToHate campaign is a global initiative that aims to counter hate speech and promote tolerance and inclusion. It's part of a larger UN effort to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia, racism, discrimination, and intolerance, focusing on preventing human rights violations and promoting peace and equality.

Combating Islamophobia

Many Governments have taken steps to combat Islamophobia by establishing anti-hate-crime legislation and measures to prevent and prosecute hate crimes and by conducting public awareness campaigns about Muslims and Islam designed to dispel negative myths and misconceptions.

In 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a sponsored by 60 Member-States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The document stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group. It calls for a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace, based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and belief.

In 2024, the General Assembly adopted a . It condemns incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence against Muslims as manifested in attacks, desecrations, negative stereotyping, hatred and other acts of intolerance and calls on Member States to take necessary legislative and policy measures to combat such hatred and to legally prohibit incitement to violence on grounds of religion or belief. It also requested the Secretary-General to appoint a United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia

In May 2025, the Secretary-General appointed Mr. Miguel ?ngel Moratinos Cuyaub¨¦ of Spain as the United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. He continues to serve as High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) while leading this new mandate to strengthen UN efforts to counter Islamophobia globally.

Mr. Moratinos his role is ¡°not to defend any one religion; it is to defend the human right of all people to practice their religion or faith ¨C without fear¡±.