Remarks by the President of the United Nations General Assembly on the Commemorative Event to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2024.
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Two years ago, this General Assembly adopted a momentous resolution – proclaiming this day, 15 March, as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
This came in the wake of the senseless Christchurch massacre – where 55 innocent Muslims brutally lost their lives.
On this important day, as President of the General Assembly, I stand in solidarity with all Muslims around the world – particularly with all those deliberately targeted by any acts of Islamophobia; any form of racism; and any form discrimination.
Freedom of religion, belief or worship; and freedom of opinion and expression, are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing.
The right to one’s religious belief or worship cannot – and must not – be the basis for any form of intolerance and discrimination.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing an alarming surge in discrimination, intolerance, and violence against members of many religions in various parts of the world, including cases motivated by Islamophobia.
Hate speech, in particular, has become a sickening poison in the hearts and minds of those who perpetrate it – and a relentless torment on those who are targeted by it.
I categorically deplore all acts of violence against Muslims and persons of all religions and beliefs – as well as attacks against sacred places of worship, religious sites and shrines.
Such demeaning and dastardly acts cannot be hidden behind the cover of freedom of expression.
Intolerance, xenophobia and hate speech – both online and offline – are fueling the exponential increase in hate crimes and conflict, as well as socioeconomic marginalization.
In particular, Muslim women – in many regions of the world – face multiple forms of discrimination based on their religion,gender and ethnicity.
Not only is this morally wrong, it is a flagrant violation of their human rights and dignity.
Every individual has the right to live without fear of violence or any form of prejudice.
Upholding freedoms – including those of religion, opinion, and assembly – is crucial to combating intolerance and discrimination of any shape or form.
States have the primary obligation to protect and defend all human rights for all – and to eradicate all forms of racism and discrimination.
But – as responsible global citizens – we, individually, are also duty bound to contribute to combating any form of discrimination; any form of incitement to hatred and violence against Muslims,and by extension, against persons of other belief systems.
This is particularly important at this moment, in the context of the ongoing military confrontation in the Middle East – which has led to an alarming rise in both Islamophobia and antisemitism around the world.
As President of General Assembly, I stand firmly against racism and all forms of discrimination and call upon the entire international community and on civil society to repudiate racism and xenophobia in all its forms and manifestations, including islamophobia.
Together, let us end all forms of intolerance and discrimination.
As we mark this International Day to Combat Islamophobia – which this year coincides with the Holy Month of Ramadan – let us stand respectfully, shoulder-to-shoulder, in solidarity with our 2 billion Muslim brothers and sisters.
I take this opportunity to wish a blessed month and Ramadan Kareem to all Muslims around the world. This is a moment to embrace empathy and compassion; the beauty and richness of our diversity; and that which unite rather than devide us, that is, our common humanity.
Let us not give in to the forces of division and hate, but rather rally for dialogue, tolerance, respect, understading, harmony and compassion for all others – always.
I thank you for your kind attention.