Mr. President,

Allow me to extend our deepest appreciation to Your Excellency for convening this important meeting.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Secretary-General, and the High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations for their unwavering commitment to fostering global peace and understanding.

On this solemn occasion marking the sixth anniversary of the heinous terrorist attacks perpetrated in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019, we pay tribute to the 51 innocent victims who lost their lives, including one Turkish citizen. We remember them with deep respect and solemnity.

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is not merely a symbolic observance; it is a clarion call to action against the rising tide of intolerance, discrimination, and violence targeting Muslims, their homes, properties, cultural centers, and places of worship worldwide.

Despite our collective resolve, we regret to observe that anti-Islamic sentiments continue to escalate globally. Provocative acts, including the burning of the Holy Quran deeply offend the sacred values of Muslims, cannot be justified under the pretext of freedom of expression. These actions are intended to humiliate and marginalize Muslim communities, who are an integral part of the societies in which they live.

We also note with grave concern the widespread incitement and hate speech on social media and digital platforms, which perpetuate harmful stereotypes and stigmatization of Muslims.

We, therefore, reiterate our urgent call on all nations to take necessary and effective measures to hold perpetrators of these hate crimes accountable. We firmly believe that hatred against any religion threatens the very foundations of peace, stability, and human dignity. The principles of the United Nations and international human rights law oblige us to stand resolutely against all forms of discrimination, religious hatred, and intolerance.

The manifestations of Islamophobia and racism are not limited to physical attacks. With the rise of populist far-right political movements, Islamophobic rhetoric has translated into concrete discriminatory policies in various parts of the world.

We must ensure that Palestinian-Israeli conflict is not exploited to stigmatize Muslims or to fuel animosity against Islam. Now, more than ever, the international community must reaffirm its commitment to combating hatred against Islam by fostering mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.

Mr. President,

We stand at a critical juncture in our collective efforts at the United Nations to combat Islamophobia. Three years ago, we adopted General Assembly Resolution 76/254, designating 15 March as the “International Day to Combat Islamophobia.” Last year, we reinforced this commitment through the adoption of Resolution 78/264 on “Measures to Combat Islamophobia.”

A key milestone of this resolution was the decision to appoint a Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. This appointment will serve as a testament to the UN’s commitment to addressing Islamophobic acts as hate crimes and manifestations of discrimination.

In this regard, we welcome the Secretary-General’s report and his decision to appoint High Representative Moratinos as the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. We call for the approval of the financial resources to this end as soon as possible.

Furthermore, it is imperative to systematically document incidents of Islamophobia, including hate crimes and discriminatory practices, to establish a comprehensive repository of data and best practices.

As Türkiye, we remain steadfast in our commitment to combating Islamophobia and intolerance in all international fora. We will continue to play a leading role in these endeavors, offering our unwavering support to all initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity, respect, and harmony among diverse communities.

Thank you.