International Day to Combat Islamophobia

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is a United Nations observance on 15 March every year, designated by the General Assembly in 2022 in a resolution sponsored by sixty member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. ¹ The date was chosen as the anniversary of the 2019 attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in which 51 people were killed during Friday prayer. ²

Pakistan's then prime minister, Imran Khan, first suggested an international day against Islamophobia in his address to the General Assembly in September 2020. ² On 15 March 2022 the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/76/254 by consensus, proclaiming 15 March the International Day to Combat Islamophobia; the resolution stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group, and calls for a global dialogue on a culture of tolerance and peace based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and beliefs. ^{1 2}

In 2024 the General Assembly adopted a resolution on measures to combat Islamophobia, condemning incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence against Muslims, calling on member states to take legislative and policy measures, and requesting the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. ¹ In May 2025 the Secretary-General appointed Miguel Ángel Moratinos of Spain as Special Envoy, while he continued as High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations; Moratinos says his role is "not to defend any one religion; it is to defend the human right of all people to practice their religion or faith – without fear". ¹

In 2026 the OIC and the UN Alliance of Civilizations co-organised a high-level event in the General Assembly Hall on 16 March, followed by an event titled "From Norms to Action" organised by the Office of the High Representative and the Special Envoy. ¹ The United Nations places the Day within its wider work against hate speech, including the 2019 Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech and the #NoToHate campaign. ¹

• The United Nations' observance page for the Day. ¹
• English Wikipedia article, revision of 24 May 2026. ²