Addressing the Growing Challenge of Anti-Muslim Hatred, Racism and Harmful Narratives

Press Release: Second Coordination Meeting on Combating Anti-Muslim hatred and racism

On 13 and 14 March 2025, Coordinators, Special Representatives, Envoys, and Ambassadors committed to combatting anti-Muslim hatred, racism and discrimination met for a second coordination meeting in Brussels. Hosted by the European Commission and co-organised with the Council of Europe, the event marked the International Day on Combating Islamophobia and focused on the rising anti-Muslim sentiment.

Participants reaffirmed that hate crime, hate speech, and discrimination against individuals based on their faith or beliefsare unacceptable. Muslims, in all their diversity, are an integral part of our societies and should be able to live free from prejudice and intolerance.

Negative stereotypes and stigmatisation of Muslims persist and are amplified by global polarisation and conflicts. Such biases can affect everyday lives, reputations, and safety, with some civil society actors, academics, and institutions facing harassment, attempts to silence them and hinder their efforts.

The participants at the meeting strongly condemned any attacks on places of worship and cemeteries. Participants also highlighted the need to address structural and systemic discrimination, where Muslims may be perceived as a monolithic group defined by stereotypes. The rise of hate speech on social media has further deepened divisions, creating a less safe environment for marginalised communities and driving advocates out of public discourse.

Key priorities identified include:

• Acknowledging anti-Muslim hatred, racism and discrimination, enhancing data collection to improve the documentation of anti-Muslim hate crimes and monitor online hate speech, understanding the societal factors behind it.
• Strengthening legal protections to safeguard individuals from hate speech, hate crimes, and discrimination and supporting civil society organisations by ensuring they have resources and a safe environment to combat anti-Muslim hatred, racism.
• Promoting interreligious dialogue to foster mutual respect and understanding.
• Addressing intersectional discrimination, recognising how anti-Muslim biases may intersect with other forms of prejudice across areas like employment.
• Empowering Muslim women and girls to thrive in society by tackling the unique challenges they face, ensuring access to education, employment, healthcare, sports, and culture.
• Encouraging responsible media practices and ensuring that social media platforms uphold legal standards, while respecting freedom of expression.

Participants committed to ongoing collaboration, exchanging insights, and coordinating national efforts to counteract rising anti-Muslim narratives, hate crimes, and discrimination. Together, they aim to build more inclusive societies founded on respect for fundamental rights.