UN Chief Warns of "Disturbing Rise" in Anti-Muslim Bigotry on International Day to Combat Islamophobia
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning about a "disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry" worldwide, calling for urgent action from governments and tech platforms to combat discrimination. Speaking on Saturday, March 15, 2025, in observance of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres highlighted the alarming increase in hate incidents targeting Muslims, including racial profiling, discriminatory policies, and violence against individuals and places of worship. His appeal comes amid unprecedented levels of Islamophobia reported by human rights organizations since the onset of Israel's military operations in Gaza, which have now continued for 17 months.
Global Surge in Anti-Muslim Sentiment
The UN chief's message addresses a troubling global trend that human rights monitors have documented across multiple countries.
"We are witnessing a concerning escalation of anti-Muslim prejudice. This includes racial profiling and unjust policies that undermine human rights and dignity, as well as outright violence directed at individuals and places of worship," Guterres stated in a video message shared on social media platform X.
He emphasized that this phenomenon is part of a broader pattern of intolerance, extremist ideologies, and attacks targeting religious communities and vulnerable groups worldwide.
UN Undersecretary Miguel Angelatinos reinforced this message, noting that Muslims face "systemic discrimination and economic limitations" globally. "These prejudices are evident in the stigmatization and unjust racial profiling of Muslims, exacerbated by biased media portrayals and the anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies of certain political figures," Angelatinos told the UN General Assembly.
Record-Breaking Discrimination Cases
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the United States, recently published its 2025 Civil Rights Report, "Unconstitutional Crackdowns. " This report provides concrete evidence of the trends Guterres described.
According to the report, CAIR offices nationwide received 8,658 complaints in 2024, the highest number recorded since the organization began tracking such data in 1996. This report is a 7.4 percent increase from the 8,061 complaints received in 2023.
"Vigorous public debate, a hallmark of a healthy democracy, was replaced by crackdowns on people expressing politically disfavored viewpoints in 2024. Speaking out against Israel's policies of apartheid, occupation, and genocide came with a price," said Corey Saylor, CAIR's Research and Advocacy Director.
The report identified a significant shift in how discrimination manifests. Unlike previous years, where American Muslims were primarily targeted for their faith, 2024 saw a broader pattern in which Muslims, alongside Palestinians, Arabs, Jews, African Americans, and Asian Americans, faced backlash for their opposition to genocide and apartheid.
Employment Discrimination Reaches New Heights
One of the most concerning trends identified in CAIR's report is the dramatic rise in workplace discrimination against Muslims.
Employment discrimination reached a record high in 2024, comprising 15.4% of all complaints reported to CAIR offices—making it the highest-reported category across CAIR chapters nationwide for the first time. Many of these complaints stemmed from employees being punished or smeared for expressing views on Israel's occupation of Palestine and its treatment of Palestinians.
Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of CAIR's San Francisco Bay Area office, emphasized the severity of the situation: "The findings in this report reaffirm what our communities have been experiencing firsthand—an alarming rise in Islamophobia and the suppression of political speech. Here in the Bay Area, we have seen students, workers, and activists face retaliation simply for speaking out against genocide and apartheid."
Law Enforcement Encounters Surge
Another troubling trend highlighted in CAIR's report is the dramatic increase in problematic encounters between Muslims and law enforcement agencies.
Law enforcement encounters surged by 71.5 percent, with 506 incidents reported in 2024, up from 295 in 2023. This increase coincided with student-led protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza, revealing a pattern of university administrators using law enforcement to target individuals based on their activism and viewpoints.
Human rights organizations have noted that this trend reflects a broader issue of conflating legitimate political expression with security threats, particularly when it comes to advocacy for Palestinian rights.
The Gaza Conflict's Impact on Islamophobia
The timing of Guterres' statement is significant, coming after 17 months of conflict in Gaza that has inflamed tensions worldwide.
Human rights organizations globally, along with the UN, have documented a surge in Islamophobia, anti-Arab sentiment, and anti-Semitism since the onset of Israel's military operations in Gaza, which began following Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023.
For years, human rights advocates have raised concerns about discrimination faced by Muslims and Arabs due to misconceptions that associate these communities with militant groups. The current conflict has exacerbated these issues, with pro-Palestinian activists in Western countries like the United States expressing frustration that their support for Palestinian rights is being mischaracterized as an endorsement of Hamas.
Recent reports from human rights monitoring organizations indicate unprecedented levels of anti-Muslim hate incidents and hateful rhetoric in countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, and India, among others.
Call for Action from Governments and Tech Platforms
Guterres' message included specific calls to action for governments and technology companies.
He urged governments to "promote social unity and uphold religious freedom," though he refrained from naming specific countries. This appeal reflects growing concern about government policies that either directly target Muslim communities or fail to protect them from discrimination adequately.
The UN chief also directed a clear message to technology companies: "Digital platforms need to address hate speech and harassment." This call comes amid ongoing criticism that social media platforms have not done enough to combat the spread of Islamophobic content online.
Finally, Guterres emphasized collective responsibility: "We all have a responsibility to denounce prejudice, xenophobia, and discrimination."
Some Positive Developments Amid Challenges
Despite the grim picture painted by recent reports, CAIR noted some positive developments in the fight for civil recent reports painting a picture.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of CAIR's arguments against the federal No Fly List, a significant victory for due process rights. Additionally, attorneys representing individuals impacted by President Trump's 2017 Muslim Ban reached a considerable agreement benefiting nearly 25,000 affected individuals.
In the regulatory sphere, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prohibited the sale of sensitive location data from Muslim app users, protecting their privacy and preventing potential misuse for surveillance purposes.
These developments demonstrate that despite the challenging environment, advocacy efforts continue to achieve significant victories in protecting Muslim civil rights.
The International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Guterres delivered his message on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, which is observed annually on March 15. The United Nations March 15 General Assembly established this observance in 2022 to raise awareness of the phenomenon of Islamophobia and to promote dialogue, tolerance, and respect for human rights and religious diversity.
The date was chosen to commemorate the 2019 terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which killed 51 worshippers and injured 40 others. The attack highlighted the deadly consequences of Islamophobia and hate speech when left unchecked.
The observance reminds us to remain vigilant against all forms of discrimination and to build inclusive societies that respect religious diversity.
Challenges and Opportunities
As governments, civil society organizations, and international bodies grapple with rising Islamophobia, the path forward requires coordinated action across multiple fronts.
Addressing the root causes of anti-Muslim bigotry will require not only strong legal protections and enforcement but also educational initiatives to combat stereotypes and promote understanding. Media organizations have a crucial role to play in providing balanced coverage that avoids reinforcing harmful stereotypes about Muslim communities.
For technology companies, the challenge involves developing more effective tools to identify and remove the challenge for technology companies is to create. This balance is vital in contexts where discussions about international conflicts can quickly become inflamed.
As Billoo from CAIR emphasized: "We must remain steadfast in challenging discrimination, defending those targeted, and advocating for policies that protect our rights." The coming months will test the international community's resolve to combat the disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry that Guterres has highlighted, requiring sustained attention and action from all sectors of society to reverse this troubling trend.