UN designates March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia

The United Nations has adopted a resolution proposed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and backed by the Maldives, to designate March 15 the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. 

Foreign Ministry said that the President of UN General Assembly, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid played a key role in getting the resolution adopted by the UN. 

The resolution was introduced on Tuesday by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, on behalf of the OIC. 

“Islamophobia is a reality. Its manifestations — hate speech, discrimination, and violence against Muslims — are proliferating in several parts of the world,” he said. 

“Such acts of discrimination, hostility and violence towards Muslim individuals and communities constitute grave violations of their human rights and violate their freedom of religion and belief. They also cause great anguish within the Islamic world.” 

The adoption of the resolution follows years of discussion about the need for an international day to combat Islamophobia, initiated in Makkah in 2019 following the New Zealand mosque attacks. 

Foreign Ministry said that Maldives, along with other OIC member nations, played a key role in presenting the resolution at the UNGA.