Portrait of António Guterres
Politician · concept
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António Guterres on Islam

Condemns Islamophobia (strong)

TL;DR

António Guterres strongly condemns Islamophobia, advocating for peace, compassion, and respect for the Muslim community globally.

Key Points

  • He called for a silencing of the guns in Gaza and Sudan in the spirit of Ramadan, advocating for peace and mutual respect (March 2024).

  • António Guterres noted that Islamic law tradition contains norms like non-refoulement, which is a cornerstone of modern international refugee law (4 March 2007).

  • He stated that Muslim women often face triple discrimination due to their gender, ethnicity, and faith (15 March 2023).

Summary

António Guterres consistently expresses strong support for Muslims worldwide, particularly during the observance of Ramadan, emphasizing the faith's core values of compassion, empathy, and generosity. He explicitly calls for the elimination of Islamophobia, which he describes as a vicious plague of anti-Muslim hate and bigotry manifesting as structural discrimination and violence. The Secretary-General underscores the significant historical and ongoing contributions of Muslims to global culture, scholarship, and science, citing figures from philosophy to mathematics to counter negative stereotypes.

He actively uses his platform to promote interfaith dialogue and solidarity, often undertaking annual personal visits during Ramadan to fast with and support Muslim communities, especially those enduring conflict or displacement. He views the principles within Islamic law and tradition, such as non-refoulement for asylum-seekers, as foundational to international human rights. Guterres urges political and religious leaders, as well as digital platforms, to actively condemn inflammatory discourse and foster social cohesion, stressing that hatred against one group fuels hatred against others.

Frequently Asked Questions

António Guterres maintains a positive and supportive stance toward Islam, frequently highlighting its core values of peace, compassion, and generosity, especially during Ramadan. He uses his office to actively combat the rising tide of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred globally. He views the tradition's contributions to civilization as undeniable and central to shared history.

There is no evidence to suggest that António Guterres has changed his fundamental stance, which has consistently involved praising Islamic values and solidarity while condemning anti-Muslim bigotry. His actions, such as annual Ramadan solidarity visits, demonstrate a long-standing commitment dating back to his time as UNHCR High Commissioner.

The Secretary-General has repeatedly called Islamophobia a vicious plague and a form of hate that must be confronted by everyone, including political leaders and digital platforms. He stresses that anti-Muslim bigotry is part of a wider pattern of supremacist ideologies and undermines human rights and dignity for all.