United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has raised alarm over a “disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry,” urging governments and online platforms to take decisive action to protect religious freedoms and curb hate speech. Speaking on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres highlighted increasing discrimination and violence against Muslim communities globally.
“We are witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry—from racial profiling and discriminatory policies to outright violence against individuals and places of worship,” Guterres said in a video message shared on X. He described this trend as part of a broader wave of intolerance and extremist ideologies targeting religious groups and vulnerable populations.
While not singling out specific nations, Guterres called on governments to foster social cohesion and safeguard religious rights. He also pressed digital platforms to strengthen efforts against hate speech and harassment online.
UN Under-Secretary-General Miguel Angel Moratinos reinforced these concerns at the General Assembly, pointing to “institutional discrimination and socioeconomic restrictions” faced by Muslims. He cited stigmatization, unwarranted profiling, biased media portrayals, and inflammatory rhetoric from some political leaders as key drivers of Islamophobia.
The warning comes amid growing reports of anti-Muslim hate. In the United States, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) recorded 8,658 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination in 2023—a 7.4% increase from the previous year and the highest on record. Similar spikes have been noted in the UK, India, and beyond, often linked to global events like the Israel-Gaza conflict, now in its 17th month.
Rights groups and the UN have also flagged parallel rises in anti-Semitism and anti-Arab bias, underscoring a broader challenge of intolerance. As the UN amplifies its call for action, attention turns to how governments and tech companies will respond to protect marginalized communities worldwide.
