In a message marking Saturday’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Secretary-General António Guterres warned of racial profiling and discriminatory insurance policies that violate human rights and dignity, to outright violence in opposition to people and locations of worship.
“That is a part of a wider scourge of intolerance, extremist ideologies, and assaults in opposition to spiritual teams and susceptible populations,” he said, including that when one group is attacked, “the rights and freedoms of all are in danger”.
He urged everybody world wide to reject and eradicate bigotry, and to talk out in opposition to xenophobia and discrimination. He additionally referred to as on governments to foster social cohesion and defend spiritual freedom, and for on-line platforms to curb hate speech and harassment.
“On this Worldwide Day to Fight Islamophobia, allow us to work collectively to uphold equality, human rights and dignity, and construct inclusive societies the place everybody, no matter their religion, can dwell in peace and concord.”
Basic Meeting commemoration
In the meantime on Friday, UN Member States gathered within the Basic Meeting to name consideration to the worrying rise in anti-Muslim sentiment.
The world physique established the Worldwide Day in 2022, unanimously adopting by a resolution through which it additionally referred to as for strengthened worldwide efforts to advertise a tradition of tolerance and peace in any respect ranges, based mostly on respect for human rights and for the variety of religions and beliefs.
It additionally “strongly deplored” all acts of violence in opposition to individuals on the premise of their faith or perception and assaults in opposition to locations of worship.
A collective accountability
Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly, drew consideration to the function of extremist ideologies in fuelling hatred.
“We can not settle for the misuse of Islam for malicious intentions,” Mr. Yang stated, condemning the narrative of violence related to the faith.
“Islamophobia is just not an remoted challenge,” he continued. “Relatively, it’s related to xenophobia, intolerance, racism, sexism and the rampant unfold of hate speech.”
Cease unjust portrayal of ladies
He additionally emphasised that combatting Islamophobia required a broader dedication to tolerance, significantly concerning the portrayal of Muslim ladies.
“Muslim ladies, particularly, face added hostility, on account of deeply unjust portrayals of them as oppressed by their faith,” he remarked.
He underscored the necessity for inclusive insurance policies that remember variety and guarantee equal rights for all.
The trail ahead
As a part of the broader name to fight Islamophobia, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, echoed the significance of unity and mutual understanding.
“We should all get up in opposition to all types of hatred and discrimination,” he mentioned, stressing the necessity for governments to create environments that foster peaceable dialogue and respect amongst all spiritual and cultural communities.
