He noted that the situation continues to deteriorate for the third consecutive year, despite the efforts of the international community.
According to him, there is a rise in Islamophobic sentiments in Asia, but the situation in Europe is particularly alarming. Religion and entire ethnic groups are becoming tools for political polarization, Moratinos added.
Muslim minorities, according to his data, are increasingly becoming targets in electoral campaigns, being used to mobilize voters.
Islamophobia destroys social cohesion and exacerbates tensions in society, especially in countries suffering from conflicts.
Miguel Moratinos
The Special Envoy also reminded of the importance of achieving peace in society, which is one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
He emphasized that the hate rhetoric proliferating on digital platforms poses a particular threat: social networks facilitate the spread of animosity, while the response from tech companies is often "late and insufficient."
One of Moratinos's main areas of work is education and intercultural dialogue. He noted that there is significant misunderstanding of Islam in Western countries.
“Many people have no idea what Islam is. They have not read the Quran and form distorted opinions based on out-of-context quotes and politicized interpretations. It is necessary to invest in education — in schools, media, and society as a whole,” he added.
According to information from the UN News Service, the organization is developing its first global plan to combat Islamophobia, which will be presented this year. This document will include a historical analysis of the causes of Islamophobia, recommendations for legislative measures, and the establishment of a monitoring system.
Moratinos urged countries to appoint national representatives to combat Islamophobia, similar to how it is done in the fight against anti-Semitism.
The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed annually on March 15.
