Sat Mar 15 07:14:01 UTC 2025: **UN Chief Condemns Rise in Islamophobia on International Day of Combat**
UNITED NATIONS, March 15, 2025 – UN Secretary-General António Guterres has decried a disturbing surge in anti-Muslim bigotry globally, urging governments and online platforms to take action. Marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres highlighted a rise in discriminatory policies, violence, and hate speech targeting Muslims. He called on governments to promote social cohesion and protect religious freedom, while demanding online platforms actively curb hate speech and harassment.
This statement follows similar concerns raised by UN Under-Secretary-General Miguel Angel Moratinos, who noted the prevalence of institutional discrimination and socioeconomic restrictions faced by Muslims, often fueled by biased media and political rhetoric. The remarks come amidst reports from rights groups documenting record levels of anti-Muslim hate incidents and speech in several countries, including the US, UK, and India. A report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) revealed an all-time high of 8,658 anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents in the US last year, a 7.4% increase compared to the previous year.
The UN officials linked the rise in Islamophobia to a broader wave of intolerance and attacks against religious groups and vulnerable populations, and emphasized the need for collective action to combat this growing threat. The issue has also been linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the conflation of Muslim and Arab communities with armed groups, leading to increased stigmatization and unwarranted profiling of Muslims worldwide.
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