UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of the growing hatred against Muslims all over the world.
“Around the world, we are seeing ever-rising anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia. Hate speech is entering the mainstream, spreading like wildfire through social media and radio,” he added.
“We see it spreading in liberal democracies, as well as in authoritarian states. These dark forces menace democratic values, social stability and peace. They stigmatize women, minorities, migrants and refugees,” he stressed.
Guterres’ warnings came during his speech from Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo - the largest Sunni institution in the world - where he met with Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb.
“When people are attacked, physically, verbally or on social media, because of their race, religion or ethnicity, all of society is diminished. We all have a part to play in repairing the fissures and ending the polarization that are so prevalent in many of our societies today,” the UN chief emphasized.
“As the Grand Imam stated, Muslims have paid a heavy price due to the actions of a handful of criminals.” He also stressed that “all religions agree that God forbids killing.”
Guterres highly commended the religious summit held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, saying: “It is so heartening to see to see the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, and Pope Francis join hands in Abu Dhabi in February in a show of interfaith brotherhood.”
“I have here, given by the Grand Imam, the text - the common text, approved by him and the Pope, which is a fantastic testimony of mutual respect, tolerance, compassion and peace, given by the two great religious leaders to the world,” he affirmed.
The Grand Imam, for his part, expressed his readiness to cooperate with the United Nations on the common goals in consolidating world peace and achieving equality among all human beings.
