U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Sunday Muslims worldwide continue to face discrimination and exclusion, calling on governments and societies to take stronger steps to combat Islamophobia.
In a video message shared on X for the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres said the world's roughly two billion Muslims come from diverse regions and cultures but often encounter institutional discrimination and social barriers.
He said Muslims frequently face "socio-economic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance and profiling," warning that such trends are fueled by anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate.
Guterres noted that the spread of hate speech can lead to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship.
Calling for action, the U.N. chief urged governments to take concrete steps to combat hate speech, protect religious freedom, and ensure compliance with international human rights law.
