Türkiye’s UN Envoy Expresses Concern to Rising Islamophobia

(MENAFN) Türkiye’s permanent representative to the United Nations cautioned on Monday that Islamophobia “continues to spread like an unchecked plague, poisoning all layers of society.”

Speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and as chair of a UN General Assembly high-level event marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Ahmet Yildiz highlighted the growing severity of anti-Muslim sentiment worldwide. “Across many regions today, hate crimes, racism, xenophobia and hostility against Islam have reached alarming levels,” he said.

Yildiz underscored that “such acts contradict the fundamental principles of human dignity, equality, human rights and fundamental freedoms,” and noted that Islamophobia not only harms targeted communities directly but also threatens “social cohesion and poses a threat to democratic values, public order and peaceful coexistence.”

“Islamophobia continues to spread like an unchecked plague, poisoning all layers of society,” he stressed, reiterating the urgency of addressing the issue.

He clarified that Islamophobia “is not a matter of legitimate criticism or intellectual debate,” but rather “the expression of prejudice, discrimination and intolerance that violates the fundamental rights and dignity of Muslims.”

Referring to recent tensions in the Gaza Strip and wider regional conflicts, Yildiz warned that these developments “have contributed to one of the most profound crises the international community has faced in decades,” adding that they are “fueling an alarming rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric.”

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