Guterres warns Muslims face institutional discrimination and social barriers worldwide

NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Muslims around the world continue to face discrimination and exclusion, urging governments and societies to take stronger action to combat Islamophobia on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

In a video message shared on X, Guterres said the world’s roughly two billion Muslims, despite coming from diverse regions and cultures, frequently encounter “socio-economic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance and profiling,” fueled by anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate speech that can escalate to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship.

He called on governments to take concrete steps to combat hate speech, protect religious freedom and ensure compliance with international human rights law, and urged online platforms to eliminate harassment and hate speech targeting individuals on the basis of religion.

He also encouraged individuals to speak out against bigotry and xenophobia.

Guterres noted that in May 2025 he appointed the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations as the UN’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia. “On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, let’s recommit to the equality, human rights and dignity of every person, no matter their faith,” he said.

“Let’s eradicate the scourge of Islamophobia from every country and community.”

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia was established by UN General Assembly consensus in 2022, marking March 15 — the anniversary of the 2019 terrorist attack on the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, which killed 51 people and injured 40 others.