International Day to Combat Islamophobia

In human rights discussions, Islamophobia is generally described as prejudice, hostility, or discrimination directed at people who are, or are perceived to be, Muslim.

UN bodies and other institutions note that it can involve negative stereotypes, exclusion from services or opportunities, and violence or threats, and that it often appears in policies, media narratives, and everyday interactions that single out Muslims or those associated with Islamic symbols.  

Islamophobia can show up in many routine situations, such as verbal harassment on public transport, bullying or social exclusion at school, and discrimination in hiring, housing, or access to public services.

Human rights reports also highlight profiling at borders or in security checks, attacks on mosques and community centers, and online abuse targeting individuals or groups who are identified as Muslim.  

International human rights standards treat hostility and unequal treatment based on religion or belief, including toward Muslims, as a form of prohibited discrimination.

UN documents stress that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and that states must protect individuals from discrimination, hostility, or violence that targets them because of their real or perceived religious identity.  

UN officials have warned that online hate speech directed at Muslims can normalize prejudice and contribute to real‑world harm.

They note that social media and other digital platforms can quickly spread dehumanizing language, conspiracy theories, and calls for exclusion or violence, which may increase the risk of harassment, attacks on places of worship, and broader social polarization.  

International guidance distinguishes between debate about religious ideas and discrimination against people.

Criticism of beliefs, expressed within the limits of the law, is protected under freedom of expression, while Islamophobia refers to prejudice, hate speech, or discriminatory actions that target people because they are, or are presumed to be, Muslim, or because they are associated with Islamic practices or symbols.  

UN resolutions and related frameworks call on states to address discrimination and violence based on religion or belief through laws and policies that respect human rights.

Recommended measures include condemning hate speech that incites discrimination or violence, collecting and publishing data on hate crimes, training officials such as law enforcement, and promoting dialogue and understanding among communities without limiting legitimate freedom of expression or belief.  

Many governments and international bodies frame Islamophobia within a wider concern about all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief.

They argue that responses should protect individuals of every faith or none, and emphasize that the same human rights principles apply whether hostility is aimed at Muslims, other religious communities, or people who do not follow any religion.