Doha: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised alarm over the worrying rise of Islamophobia worldwide, calling on digital platforms to curb hate speech and online harassment.

According to Qatar News Agency, in a video message marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres stated that the world is witnessing a disturbing surge in anti-Muslim prejudice, racial profiling, and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity, escalating all the way to outright violence against individuals and places of worship. He stressed the urgent need for online platforms to take action against hate speech and harassment, urging everyone to speak out against intolerance, xenophobia, and discrimination.

Human rights organizations and the United Nations reported a sharp increase in Islamophobia, anti-Arab bias, and antisemitism following the launch of Israel's devastating military offensive on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.

In recent weeks, human rights watchdogs released reports highlighting record levels of hate crimes and inflammatory rhetoric targeting Muslims in several European and Asian countries. Meanwhile, governments in these nations reiterated their commitment to combating all forms of discrimination.