World Commemorates International Day to Combat Islamophobia

World Commemorates International Day to Combat Islamophobia
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The international community marked the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15 with renewed calls to confront discrimination and hatred against Muslims, as UN officials warned that anti-Muslim prejudice and exclusion remain widespread.

Governments, international organizations and Muslim communities across the world commemorated the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15, marking the anniversary of the 2019 mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. The day serves as a global reminder of the need to confront discrimination, racism and violence targeting Muslims and to safeguard religious freedom and the security of places of worship.

The commemoration coincides with the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch on March 15, 2019, when a gunman carried out mass shootings at Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre, killing 51 worshippers and injuring about 40 others. The attack remains one of the deadliest acts of anti-Muslim violence in modern history and is widely regarded as a symbol of the dangers posed by Islamophobia and racial hatred.

The observance was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 to raise global awareness of the consequences of anti-Muslim discrimination and to encourage policies that promote tolerance, respect for diversity and the protection of Muslim communities worldwide.

In a message marking the occasion, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, warned that more than two billion Muslims around the world continue to face institutional discrimination, socio-economic exclusion and biased migration policies. He also highlighted the growing spread of hate speech targeting Muslims, particularly online, and urged governments to adopt concrete measures to protect freedom of religion and human dignity.

Guterres called on societies to actively challenge prejudice and discrimination, stressing that collective action is necessary to counter hatred and promote peaceful coexistence.

Similarly, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said discrimination against Muslims has intensified in recent years and can be seen in everyday settings such as workplaces, schools and access to healthcare. He warned that in some countries such discrimination has taken on institutional forms and called for coordinated action by governments, technology companies and civil society to confront Islamophobia.

Commemorations and memorial events were held in several countries to honor the victims of the Christchurch attacks and to reaffirm a shared commitment to protecting religious freedom and human dignity.