According to him, the deterioration of the situation has been observed for the third consecutive year, despite the efforts made by the international community.
“Islamophobic sentiments are growing, especially in Europe, but also in Asia. Religious beliefs are becoming a tool for political polarization,” he noted.
Moratinos also pointed out that Muslim minorities are increasingly being used in election campaign rhetoric, which indicates manipulation of the electorate.
Islamophobia threatens social cohesion and exacerbates tensions in societies, especially in states experiencing conflicts.
Miguel Moratinos
The Special Envoy reminded of the importance of one of the Sustainable Development Goals — achieving peace in society.
He also highlighted the danger of hate rhetoric, particularly on digital platforms: social networks facilitate the spread of hostility, and the response of tech companies to this occurs “too late and is insufficiently effective.”
Moratinos emphasized education and intercultural dialogue as key areas of work. He noted that there is a deep misunderstanding of Islam in Western countries.
“Many people do not know what Islam is, have not read the Quran, and form distorted perceptions based on out-of-context quotes and politicized interpretations. It is necessary to invest in education — in schools, media, and society,” he added.
According to information from the UN News Service, the organization is developing the first global plan to combat Islamophobia, which will be presented this year. The document will include a historical analysis of the causes of Islamophobia, recommendations for legislative measures, and the creation of a monitoring system.
Moratinos also called on states to appoint national representatives to combat Islamophobia, similar to what is done in the area of combating anti-Semitism.
The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed annually on March 15.
