International Day against Islamophobia .. Guterres: The hatred of Muslims has reached "epidemic levels" and this must be confronted

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, warned today, Wednesday, of the rise in discrimination and hatred of Muslims to "epidemic levels", calling for facing this global challenge represented by "Islamophobia, blind intolerance and discrimination against Muslims."

During an event organized by video link by the OIC member states (57 countries) in New York, Guterres said, "We must focus in particular on protecting the rights of minorities, many of which are under threat around the world ... Minority communities are part of the richness of our cultural fabric." And social ".

Guterres added, during the event that came to mark the first international day to combat Islamophobia, that an international report recently discussed in the United Nations Human Rights Council proved that hatred against Muslims around the world has risen to "epidemic levels."

Guterres added that the report provided examples, including disproportionate restrictions on Muslims' ability to express their beliefs, the security of religious communities, restrictions on acquiring citizenship, and social and economic exclusion.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations stated that Muslim women face 3 levels of discrimination because of their gender, race and faith, and stereotypes are exacerbated by the media and people in positions of authority.

Guterres called for pressure for policies that respect human rights and the human religious and cultural identity, citing part of the noble Quranic verse {and we made you peoples and tribes to know each other} [Al-Hujurat: 13].

Two days ago, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (headquartered in Jeddah) called on the United Nations and international and regional organizations to adopt the 15th of March every year as an international day to combat "Islamophobia", coinciding with the second anniversary of the terrorist attack that targeted two mosques in the town of Christchurch in New Zealand that killed 51 Muslims. .

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation stated that this is "in order to enhance global awareness of this phenomenon, to contain it and to confront the hatred and discrimination targeting Muslims."

The event was attended by ministers and permanent representatives of UN member states in New York, and the President of the UN General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir.