United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on governments, online platforms, and individuals to act against the rising global discrimination and prejudice targeting Muslims.
“The world’s 2 billion Muslims hail from all corners of the globe, reflecting the vast diversity of humanity itself,” Guterres said. “Yet they often face institutional discrimination, socio-economic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance and profiling.”
He warned that anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate can escalate into harassment and attacks on individuals and places of worship. Guterres urged governments to combat hate speech, protect religious freedom, and ensure compliance with international human rights law. He also called on social media platforms to remove content targeting people based on religion.
“All people need to speak out against bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination wherever they find it,” he said, emphasizing that fighting Islamophobia requires a coordinated global effort.
His message comes amid rising reports of violence and discrimination against Muslims worldwide, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring religious tolerance and inclusion in the 21st century.
