Remarks by the President of the General Assembly

Mr. Philemon Yang

at the informal plenary meeting to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia

Friday, 14 March 2025

[As Delivered]

 

 

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Al salam Alay-kum wa Ramadhan Mubarak.

 

Peace upon you all.

 

I am honoured to join you in commemorating the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

 

We observe this Day at a time when nearly 2 billion Muslims celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. 

 

This is a moment when the deep richness of Islam is on global display as a religion of peace, compassion and community.

 

A Muslim is someone who portrays peace and follows Prophet Mohammed’s teachings. A Muslim’s spoken words are useful and good, devoid of prejudice and hate.  

 

As a citizen of Cameroon, I am proud that Muslims comprise at least 30 percent of Cameroon’s diverse population. And as President of the General Assembly, it is my duty to promote religious tolerance.

 

This fundamental tolerance is central to human dignity. And we need it now more than ever before.

 

For today, we see a disturbing rise in discrimination and violence, not only against Muslims but many religious communities around the world.

 

Extremists are weaponising Islam, spreading fear and hatred to achieve their malicious aims. This has dangerous impacts for the vast majority of Muslims and other peaceful worshipers.

 

We cannot accept the misuse of Islam for malicious intentions.

 

Nor can we allow Islamophobia to incite unjustified hatred and violent attacks against an entire community.

 

Muslim women, in particular, face added hostility, due to deeply unjust portrayals of them as oppressed by their religion.

 

I am proud that several Muslim women from various backgrounds are part of my Cabinet.

 

Their commitment to excellence and support for shared goals give life to the theme of my Presidency, “Unity in Diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone, everywhere.”

 

Excellencies,

 

Islamophobia is not an isolated issue. 

 

Rather, it is connected to xenophobia, intolerance, racism, sexism and the rampant spread of hate speech.

 

We must take a strong stand against them all – both online and offline.

 

We must condemn discrimination based on religious belief.

 

And we must use every lever in Government, media, education and society to advance policies that respect the freedoms of religion and belief of all peoples, everywhere.

 

In these efforts, we must give pride of place to women and young people as change agents. They have the power to embed justice and inclusion into our policies at local, national and global levels.

 

Inscribed at the heart of the United Nations Charter is: “We the peoples.” 

 

We the peoples. 

 

This means all of us, irrespective of our creed and religion. 

 

Let this be a reminder that our efforts to build a more peaceful, just and equitable world do not stop with words on a page.

 

Our efforts should indeed animate the difficult work of ending Islamophobia.

 

We must find new avenues for mutual understanding among all religions and beliefs.

 

We must forge new openings for a life of peace in harmony with one another.

 

This is the message of Islam and the work of the United Nations.

 

Let us set our minds to achieving this.

 

Shukran Lakum.

 

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Media Contacts
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org
Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations, M: +1 917 3614990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org

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