UN chief urges global action against rising anti-Muslim bigotry

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced deep concern over the increasing wave of anti-Muslim discrimination, urging governments to safeguard religious freedoms and calling on digital platforms to address hate speech.

Guterres made these remarks on March 15, during the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Human rights organizations and the UN have observed a surge in Islamophobia, anti-Arab prejudice, and anti-Semitism, particularly following the ongoing 17-month conflict in Gaza.

“We are witnessing a troubling rise in anti-Muslim bigotry—ranging from racial profiling and discriminatory policies that violate fundamental rights to acts of violence targeting individuals and places of worship,” Guterres stated in a video message on X. He linked these incidents to broader patterns of intolerance, extremist ideologies, and attacks on religious and vulnerable groups.

While not naming specific countries, Guterres urged governments to promote social cohesion and defend religious freedoms. He also stressed the need for online platforms to take action against hate speech and harassment, emphasizing that combating discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance requires a collective effort.

Similarly, UN Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos highlighted that Muslims face institutional discrimination and socioeconomic barriers. He pointed to the stigmatization of Muslim communities, racial profiling, and negative portrayals in the media, which he said are further exacerbated by anti-Muslim rhetoric from certain political leaders.

Human rights advocates have long expressed concern over the unjust association of Muslims and Arabs with armed groups. Recently, pro-Palestinian activists, particularly in Western countries like the United States, have reported that their advocacy for Palestinian rights is unfairly equated with support for Hamas in Gaza.

Reports from human rights organizations indicate a record surge in anti-Muslim hate crimes and inflammatory rhetoric in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and India. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported on Tuesday that it documented 8,658 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents last year—an increase of 7.4% from the previous year and the highest recorded since CAIR began tracking such data in 1996.