The United Nations (UN) annually observes International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15 to raise awareness and combat hate crimes, discrimination, and intolerance against Muslims.
- March 15, 2025, marks the 3rd International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Background:
i.In 2020, during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan, first suggested the need for an International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
ii.On March 15, 2022, the UNGA adopted resolution A/RES/76/254, proclaiming March 15 of every year as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
iii.The resolution was introduced by Pakistan’s UN envoy Munir Akram on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) under the agenda item “Culture of Peace”.
iv.The inaugural observance of the day took place on March 15, 2023.
Why March 15?
The date coincides with the anniversary of the Christchurch mosque shootings on March 15, 2019, in New Zealand.
- A gunman attacked the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood IslamicCentre/Linwood Masjid Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 individuals and injuring 40 others during Friday prayers.
What is Islamophobia?
i.Islamophobia refers to fear, prejudice, discrimination, or hatred directed towards Islam or Muslims.
ii.It includes provocation, hostility, abuse, incitement, and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both online and offline.
iii.Driven by institutional, ideological, political, and religious hostility, it targets symbols and markers of being a Muslim.
Key Fact:
According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the United States of America (USA), 2024 recorded the highest number of complaints related to anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents, with a total of 8,658, marking a 7.4% rise from the previous year.
- This surge in incidents occurred following the Israeli war on Gaza.
About the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):
i.The OIC(formerly Organization of the Islamic Conference) is the world’s second-largest inter-governmental organization, following the United Nations(UN), with 57 member states spanning four continents.
ii.The OIC serves as the collective voice of the Muslim world, working to protect and promote their interests in economic, social, and political matters.
Secretary General (SG) – Hissein Brahim Taha
Headquarters – Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(KSA)
Founded – 1969
