The grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, has issued a strong warning regarding the increasing global prevalence of Islamophobia.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, his message was delivered by Egypt’s UN representative.
Al-Tayeb described Islamophobia as an “irrational and illogical phenomenon” posing a genuine threat to worldwide peace.
He emphasized that designating an international day against Islamophobia marked the successful culmination of efforts by Muslim nations at the UN.
Al-Tayeb stressed Islam’s core values of peace, mercy, love, coexistence, tolerance, and fraternity among all people.
He asserted that Islamophobia stems from ignorance about the true nature of Islam and deliberate attempts to distort its peaceful principles.
The grand imam attributed the rise in anti-Muslim sentiment to long-standing media campaigns and far-right rhetoric falsely portraying Islam as violent and extremist.
He also condemned the exploitation of terrorist acts by groups misrepresenting the faith.
To combat this, Al-Tayeb called for an internationally recognized definition of Islamophobia with specific terminology and regularly updated practices.
He also advocated for comprehensive databases documenting anti-Muslim crimes and discrimination, alongside monitoring relevant laws and policies.
Furthermore, Al-Tayeb urged the creation of legislation to halt Islamophobia and instead promote dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence.
The UN General Assembly designated March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in 2022, a non-binding resolution promoting tolerance and respect.
