Informal meeting of the plenary to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia - General Assembly, 79th session.



Informal meeting of the plenary to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia - General Assembly, 79th session.


Islamophobia is a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism, it targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly condemned the continuing acts of anti-Muslim hatred and bigotry around the world, warning on several occasions that this worrying trend targets not only Muslims but also Jews, minority Christian communities and others.

This idea is reinforced in his message for the observance when he recalls that this troubling trend poses a threat not only to Muslims but to the rights and freedoms of all groups. To combat it, 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.

Recent measures to combat Islamophobia include the adoption by the General Assembly of a new resolution requesting the Secretary-General to appoint a United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

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