International Day to Combat Islamophobia

The UN warns of rising anti-Muslim hatred

The day established by the United Nations seeks to promote interreligious dialogue and tolerance in the face of a growing trend of prejudice, discrimination and violence against Muslim communities in different regions of the world.

Since 2022, the date established by the UN has sought to foster global dialogue in favor of tolerance and peace at all levels, based on the diversity of beliefs and religions and on respect for human rights.

Every March 15 marks the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, which seeks to counter prejudice, hatred, harassment, intimidation and intolerance toward Muslims, a worrying reality in today’s society. 

Certain international events have heightened exclusion, fear and distrust toward those who practice this religion. In this context, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution together with 60 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the body recognized that “terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.”

Along these lines, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stated on several occasions that anti-Muslim bigotry is part of a broader trend of resurgent ethnonationalism, neo-Nazism, stigmatization and hate speech against vulnerable populations.

September 11, 2001. A date that marked the community

One of the key works for understanding how the Islamic community was affected is the 2021 report by the UN Special Rapporteur, Ahmed Shaheed. In his text, he explains that after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and other acts of terrorism allegedly “perpetrated in the name of Islam,” distrust of Muslims grew, even with the backing of some States and bodies that adopted security measures that disproportionately affect Muslims and define them as high-risk and susceptible to radicalization.

In the document, Shaheed maintains that, as a justification for these counterterrorism security measures, the concept of cultural “otherness” was used, placing people who profess Islam, as well as their practices, beliefs and culture, within stereotypes that regard them as a threat.

One of the most interesting analyses presented by the former UN Special Rapporteur is a study of news coverage, in which he highlights that the adjectives most frequently used for Muslims are «radical», «extremist» and «terrorist». He also details how right-wing populist parties use Muslim identity as a security threat to win votes.

Along the same lines, a 2025 study by Daniel Barrett in the Journal of Global Faultlines points out how the media framing of terrorist attacks reinforces the image of Muslims as «inherently suspicious”.

For its part, Shaheed’s report states that, because of these narratives, the consequences directly affect human rights, in particular the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, and have been devastating for the Muslim community.

How do communities confront Islamophobia?

People who profess Islam confront Islamophobia through a combination of proactive social cohesion strategies, the strengthening of internal support networks and, in many cases, defensive behavioral adaptations to protect their physical and civil integrity.

Among these strategies, Barrett’s research indicates, are initiatives of openness and interreligious dialogue, through which Muslim organizations seek to counter disinformation and media stereotypes. Communities hold open mosque days, organizing events so that people of different faiths (or none) can visit mosques, learn about Islam firsthand and dispel mistaken associations with terrorism.

At the same time, they also strengthen support networks and safe spaces within the community itself in the face of the stigma of being regarded as “suspects». Daniel Barrett maintains in his text that internal mechanisms have been created to manage the emotional and social impact. They also seek to highlight the leadership of women and young people, whom they regard as pillars of resistance against Islamophobia.

While one part of the community focuses on educating outsiders and building bridges, another is forced to adopt self-protective measures and withdraw its identity from view because of the climate of hostility. Both mechanisms operate simultaneously and in tandem.

The UN stresses that despite its widespread impact, Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred remain poorly understood, and debates on how to address their effects are often fraught with tension. The former Special Rapporteur’s report is a tool for States, bodies and institutions, as it analyzes the concept of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred and documents the experiences of affected communities and the repercussions this phenomenon has on human rights. At the same time, it reaffirms the relevant international human rights framework and proposes recommendations to address and mitigate the impacts of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred in accordance with international law.

Guillermo Whpei

President of Fundación para la Democracia