USCMO Recognizes UN Declaration of 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia

In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

All praise and thanks belong to God, the Lord of the Worlds,

May peace and prayers be upon Prophet Muhammad

(Washington, D.C.; 3/15/2023) – On behalf of the communities we serve in our respective countries around the world, the undersigned Muslim organizations thank the United Nations for marking March 15th as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. We also thank the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for initiating and advancing this historic and important proposal.

We know that Islamophobia has gone global. The Christchurch shooter who murdered 51 Muslim men, women and children in New Zealand on March 15th four years ago was just one horrific example of how dangerous anti-Muslim extremism can become.

Anti-Muslim bigotry and racism manifest across the world in different forms: hate speech, discrimination, restrictions on religious freedom, vandalism, violent crimes, arbitrary arrests, collective punishments, attacks on cultural and religious symbols, mass surveillance, unjust wars, ethnic cleansing, and even genocide. All of this is unacceptable, and all of it is interrelated.

Those who target Muslims in one country inspire others around the world to do the same and use similar rhetoric to justify their injustices.

Just as anti-Muslim extremists have united in their dedication to targeting Muslims, Muslims must unite in our dedication to defending each other and advancing justice for all people.

That’s why—on the historic occasion of the first International Day to Combat Islamophobia—our Muslim community organizations are coming together across borders, continents and oceans to announce our commitment to collaborate in the struggle against anti-Muslim bigotry.

In each of our nations, we work to advance the ideal that everyone deserves fair treatment regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. We advance this ideal through constructive policy-based advocacy and campaigns. In each of our nations, we also benefit from diverse institutions and individuals who share this ideal.

Going forward, we plan to look for opportunities to advance this work at the international level.

As a start, we make the following joint calls to action:

Nations should recognize the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia

We call on governments to recognize the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, condemn anti-Muslim bigotry and racism, dismantle Islamophobic policies and laws, and ensure that all of their citizens receive fair treatment under the law.

Muslim-majority nations should challenge Islamophobia internationally

We call on governments in Muslim-majority nations to support and defend Muslims who experience Islamophobia in other countries, even if that means challenging the actions of economic partners and so-called allies.

Governments should protect places of worship from hate crimes

Places of worship are visible markers of religious identity and are therefore often subject to targeted attacks, harassment and abuse. Governments and authorities, at both the local and national level, must ensure places of worship such as mosques receive adequate protection, such as supporting the installation of preventative on-site security measures, responding swiftly to potential threats, and enforcing strong hate crime laws.

Political leaders should engage with Muslim constituents

We call on political leaders to establish constructive engagement with Muslim communities and a range of representative Muslim-led organizations on the issues impacting diverse Muslim communities nationally.

Communities should build bridges with neighbors of different faiths

We encourage our neighbors of different backgrounds, those of all faiths and none, to counter Islamophobia locally by availing opportunities to visit mosques in their neighborhood, connect with Muslim neighbors, and participate in anti-hate work.

Those who target Muslims want us to give up. They want us to stop caring about each other. They want us to stop working with our diverse neighbors. We say, No. We stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters, and all victims of injustice not only in our respective countries but around the world.

We act with the faith that we will—God willing—survive the challenges of the present times and emerge stronger. And we plan to do so together.

Asociación Musulmana por los Derechos Humanos (AMDEH) (Spain)

Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AU)

Comité Justice & Libertés Pour Tous (France)

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) (USA)

Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations – FEMYSO (Europe)

Islamophobia Studies Center (USA)

Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project (USA)

International Islamophobia Studies and Research Association (multiple nations)

Islamophobia Studies Journal (multiple nations)

The March 15 Forum – Combating Islamophobia (USA)

MPower Change (USA)