A Special High-level Event to Commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia highlighted diversity "not as a threat, but as richness of all societies." The meeting, chaired by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in New York today (10 Mar), promoted collective action by the international community to combat xenophobia, intolerance and incitement to violence on the basis of any religion or belief. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in his capacity as the Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, said, “Since the tragedy of 9/11, animosity and institutional suspicion of Muslims and Islam across the world have only escalated to epidemic proportions. A narrative has been developed and peddled, which associates Muslim communities and their religion with violence and danger.” He continued, “Our resolve to combat Islamophobia must translate into concrete and practical action. To that end, we urge the UN Secretary-General to formulate an action plan in coordination with the Organization of Islamic countries to hold and reverse Islamophobia.” Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly, who also addressed the participants, said, “According to the American writer H. P. Lovecraft, “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of it is fear of the unknown.” We see the reflections of this fear in discriminatory practices, travel bans, hate speech, bullying and the targeting of others – sometimes just for their clothing. He noted, “We see it in the generalized and unjustified worries stoked by bigots and populists.” Kőrösi also urged, “All over the world there are political movements and parties who want to benefit from spreading the myth that any foreigner or believer of a different faith can only be an enemy with evil intentions. And they have a significant following, including many who are always happy to blame somebody else for their own failures.” Making his remarks at the event, the Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The world’s nearly 2 billion Muslims reflect humanity in all its magnificent diversity. They hail from all corners of the world. They are Arabs, Africans, Europeans, Americans, and Asians. But they often face bigotry and prejudice for no other reason than their faith. This anti-Muslim hatred takes many forms.” Guterres continued, “Our UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites provides concrete recommendations to support governments so that all can enjoy their right to observe religious rituals in safety.” The UN chief also shared his memories, “As UN High Commissioner for Refugees, I saw the generosity of Muslim countries welcoming people forced to flee their homes, while so many others closed their borders. I saw the modern manifestation of what is found in the Surah Al-Tawbah of the Holy Quran: “And if anyone seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he can hear the words of God. Then escort him where he can be secure.” He concluded, “Every great faith and tradition summons the imperatives of tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding. At the heart, we are dealing with universal values: they animate the United Nations Charter and lie at the core of our quest for justice, human rights, and peace.” Addressing his remarks at the event, Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary-General of OIC said, “On this commemorative day, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation commends the achievement by the United Nations, for the designation of such date as international day to Combat Islamophobia, which was a pivotal step towards concrete global actions needed to combat menaces of incitement to hatred, discrimination and violence based on one’s religion.” On 15 March 2022, the General Assembly adopted resolution 76/254 designating 15 March as the International Day to combat Islamophobia. This resolution invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system, other international and regional organizations, and civil society, private sector and faith-based organizations to observe the International Day in an appropriate manner.