Iraq’s Representative Statement to UN General Assembly on International Day to Combat Islamophobia

The United Nations General Assembly held a special session to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Iraq’s Representative to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Abbas Kadhom Obaid, delivered a statement in which he noted that this phenomenon has become a serious challenge threatening societal peace, requiring concerted efforts and joint action to address it. As well he emphasized that this occasion represents an opportunity to renew our shared commitment to the principles of tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among peoples, and to confront all forms of discrimination, hatred, and intolerance, reiterating Iraq’s commitment to continuing to work with the international community to combat Islamophobia in all its forms and to support efforts aimed at building a world of peace and mutual respect among religions and cultures.

On his part, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, in his remarks on this occasion, called for adherence to the values ​​of equality, human rights, and dignity, and for building inclusive societies that enable everyone to live in peace and harmony, regardless of their religion. In addition, he noted that the global Muslim community comprises nearly two billion people, embodying exceptional cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity, this human tapestry not only reflects the richness of Islamic traditions but also expresses the universal values ​​of peace, compassion, and dignity that enrich the shared international community.

The President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Secretary General of Muslim World League, and representatives of regional groups and member states also delivered statements, affirming their rejection of the misuse of Islam for malicious purposes and the need to confront Islamophobia and prevent its exploitation to incite hatred or commit acts of violence against any community. They emphasized that the rise of Islamophobia in certain political and social discourses poses a threat to the principles of human dignity, necessitating a collective response and coordinated efforts to counter it.