United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday condemned a “disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry” worldwide, urging online platforms to take action against hate speech and harassment.
Guterres’ remarks came in a video message ahead of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. His warning follows increasing reports from rights groups and the UN itself of a surge in Islamophobia, anti-Arab bias, and antisemitism, particularly since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.
“We are witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry—from racial profiling and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity to outright violence against individuals and places of worship,” Guterres said, without naming specific countries or governments.
He called on digital platforms to “curb hate speech and harassment” and urged global leaders to take a stand against “bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination.”
Rights advocates have long warned about the stigmatization of Muslims and Arabs, often linked to false associations with militant groups. Pro-Palestinian activists in Western countries, including the United States, have complained that their calls for Palestinian rights are being wrongly equated with support for Hamas.
Recent reports from rights watchdogs indicate record levels of anti-Muslim hate crimes and rhetoric in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and India. Governments in these nations have pledged to combat all forms of discrimination.
