Remarks by Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos,
High Representative for UNAOC
and UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia,
at the 5th Commemorative event of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia
16 March 2026, General Assembly Hall, United Nations, New York
Your Excellency Mr. Ahmet Yildiz,
Permanent Representative of Turkiye and Chair of the OIC Group;
Ms. Annalena Baerbock,
President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly;
Mr. Antonio Guterres,
Secretary-General of the United Nations;
Your Excellency, Mr. Hameed Opeloyeru,
Permanent Observer of the OIC to the United Nations;
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
It is an honour to address the 5th commemorative event marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and I am truly privileged that my office is co-organzing the event this year with OIC.
Let me begin by extending my warm wishes to Muslims for the remaining days of the holy month of Ramadan and to Christians observing Lent. May these sacred periods inspire reflection, compassion, and our shared commitment to peace.
Excellencies,
This Day, proclaimed by the General Assembly, reflects a growing recognition by the international community that hatred and discrimination directed at Muslims are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader and deeply troubling rise in racism and bigotry based on religion or belief. This trend demands our collective attention and action.
I commend the leadership of Member States and the continued engagement of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in elevating global awareness of the pressing challenge of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate and in keeping the issue high on the global agenda.
Excellencies,
Today’s commemoration takes place at a moment of heightened tensions around the world.
We are witnessing rising polarization, deepening geopolitical divisions, and an alarming normalization of intolerance. In such contexts, prejudice and scapegoating too often flourish.
Across regions, Muslim communities continue to face discrimination and persistent dehumanization, simply because of their faith.
Muslims are often challenged with Institutional discrimination and socio-economic restrictions.
Such biases are manifested in the stigmatization and the unwarranted racial profiling of Muslims, reinforced by biased media representations, and by the anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies of some political leaders.
Islamophobia manifests itself in many forms: from hate speech and disinformation online, to discrimination in employment and education.
Recent global developments and the persistent devastating conflicts in several regions have once again demonstrated how quickly hate narratives can spread and how easily entire communities can become targets of suspicion and hostility.
In many conflict settings, we have also witnessed a troubling rise in attacks on Muslims and their places of worship. Conflict driven fear, misinformation, and dehumanization often create environments in which religious communities become easy targets. Such acts of violence not only violate fundamental human rights but also threaten prospects for peace and reconciliation.
This should concern us all.
Because when hatred against Muslims is tolerated or normalized, it erodes the principles that underpin peaceful and inclusive societies based on human rights.
Combating Islamophobia is therefore not only about protecting Muslim communities. It is about safeguarding the universal values upon which our multilateral system is founded: human dignity, equality, freedom of religion or belief, and respect for diversity.
These principles are at the very heart of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In this context, the adoption of the General Assembly Resolutions, 76/254 “The International Day to Combat Islamophobia” and 78/264 “measures to combat Islamophobia “ are 2 milestones in our collective efforts to combat this scourge.
In my capacity as United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, I remain committed to working closely with Member States, international organizations, civil society, faith leaders, and media platforms to address this challenge in a comprehensive , balanced and principled manner.
In this context, I have convened collectively or individually several meetings with the OIC Core Group on Islamophobia and shared with them my vision including a draft outline of a UN Action Plan to Combat Islamophobia.
Earlier this year in January and February, I visited the UK and France where I met with officials responsible for addressing racism, discrimination and human rights related issues. I also had the opportunity to meet with few representatives of the Muslim community in these countries. I just returned yesterday from Azerbaijan where I also met with relevant stakeholders dealing with Islamophobia. Few more visits are planned in the Spring if travel circumstances permit.
Excellencies,
Our collective efforts must focus on several priorities.
First, prevention through education, dialogue, and intercultural and interreligious understanding. Ignorance and fear often lie at the root of prejudice, and education remains one of our most effective tools to counter them.
Second, addressing the proliferation of hate speech—particularly in the digital sphere—while safeguarding freedom of expression in accordance with international human rights standards. In this respect, media literacy programs and critical thinking workshops are essential tools that could act as protective shields against misinformation and disinformation.
Third, strengthening national policies and legal frameworks that protect individuals and communities from discrimination and violence based on religion or belief. At the same time, we need to identify the legislative gaps in national policies that hinder the criminalization of hate crimes and anti-discrimination laws.
Fourth, encourage governments to support initiatives that promote dialogue and mutual respect across cultures and faith traditions at the community level.
And fifth, consistent vocal condemnation at the highest level of Islamophobic and anti-Muslim incidents
In this regard, the work of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations continues to demonstrate that dialogue and cooperation across cultures and religions are essential pillars of peaceful and inclusive societies.
That’s why, my office together with OIC have organized a high level side event today where I hope we will have a productive interactive discussion on addressing Islamophobia . The two thematic panels will address : the balance between the freedom of expression and the prohibition of incitement to hatred.
The second panel will take a deep dive into institutional frameworks and national strategies addressing hate speech and discrimination including Islamophobia.
I am very pleased that envoys and coordinators on combating discrimination and anti-Muslim hatred representing the OIC, OSCE, Council of Europe, Australia and Sweden have traveled from their capitals to New York to join the discussion this afternoon at the ECOSOC.
Excellencies,
The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is therefore more than a symbolic observance. It is a reminder of our shared responsibility to stand firmly against hatred, discrimination, and exclusion in all their forms
Silence in the face of intolerance is not neutrality. It is complicity.
Let us therefore renew—together—our commitment to a world where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live in dignity, security, and mutual respect.
That is the responsibility we all share.
Thank you.