The United Nations General Assembly held a high-level plenary meeting at UN Headquarters to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, DKnews.kz reports.
The session, chaired by Philemon Yang, President of the 79th General Assembly, gathered prominent global figures, including Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League. Delegations from the UN member states and distinguished speakers participated in the event, which also featured statements from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb.
In his speech, the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN, Kairat Umarov, called on the international community to intensify efforts to combat religious intolerance and discrimination, once again emphasizing Kazakhstan’s commitment to combating Islamophobia and strengthening interreligious dialogue.
“Islamophobia is often exploited for political gain, increasing disunity and intolerance. This is demonstrated through restrictions on religious freedom, the desecration of sacred symbols, and the marginalization of Muslim communities” Kairat Umarov
He recalled that the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, condemned acts of desecration of sacred books during the general debates at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly:
“Such barbaric actions against Islam or any other religion are unacceptable. All sacred books, including the Quran, must be protected from vandalism at the legislative level”
Ambassador Umarov emphasized that Kazakhstan is a longstanding bridge between the East and the West, facilitating interreligious and intercultural dialogue. In this context, the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which has been held in Astana since 2003, plays a significant role. The VIII Congress is scheduled for September, 2025, and will focus on “Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future”. This event will bring together prominent religious leaders and experts worldwide.
“This forum has become a key platform for interaction among world religions, addressing current challenges, and developing collaborative solutions. We believe that the upcoming Congress will be another significant step in fostering trust and mutual understanding among different peoples” Kairat Umarov
Following the meeting, a proposal was announced to appoint the High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, Moratinos, to the post of UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia concurrently, as well as to develop a corresponding UN Action Plan.
In 2022, at the initiative of Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 76/254, which designated March 15 as the International Day Against Islamophobia. This resolution calls for global efforts to promote tolerance and combat religious intolerance. In 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 78/264, “Measures to Combat Islamophobia”. This resolution established the position of a UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia and developed a corresponding Action Plan.
