March 15 is the International Day Against Islamophobia. Islamophobia refers to the fear, prejudice, and hatred toward Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility, and intolerance through threats, harassment, abuse, incitement, and intimidation—both online and offline—against Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Islamophobia is evident in the rise of hate crimes, such as the 375% increase in the UK in the week following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing; in discriminatory policies, such as France’s 2011 ban on full-face veils in public spaces; in workplace discrimination, where Muslims face the highest unemployment rates among all religious groups, with even higher rates among women who wear the hijab; in media portrayals that link Islam with terrorism, extremism, and cultural backwardness; in online hate speech; in physical assaults on the street; and in police racial profiling based on an Arab-Muslim appearance.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly condemned the ongoing episodes of anti-Muslim hatred and intolerance worldwide, emphasizing that they pose a threat not only to Muslims but also to the rights and freedoms of all communities. The 60 member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation sponsored United Nations Resolution 76/254, which designates March 15 as the International Day Against Islamophobia. This resolution stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group. It also calls for a global dialogue to promote a culture of tolerance and peace, based on respect for human rights and religious diversity.
Knowledge is one of the most effective tools against ignorance, which fuels fear, racism, and hate speech in some sectors of society. With a basic understanding and knowledge of Islam, we can recognize some of its core principles: it promotes equity, solidarity, and the fair treatment of all people regardless of their religion, race, or social status; it upholds charity and support for the disadvantaged as fundamental values; it considers honesty and truthfulness to be essential virtues, while deceit, lying, and fraud are prohibited; it encourages humility over ostentation; it emphasizes respect for parents and harmonious family coexistence; it values patience in adversity and teaches how to face difficulties with faith and resilience; it instills the duty to seek knowledge and encourages education for both men and women.
Therefore, the following common misconceptions and fake news—often spread on social media—are entirely false: that Islam is a violent religion that promotes terrorism; that it imposes forced conversions; that Muslims do not respect other religions; that they seek to impose their faith on the West; that Islam is against the science, incompatible with democracy, or opposed to human rights; and that Muslim women are oppressed because of religion.
Islamophobia and misinformation have fueled these myths. To combat them, it is essential that governments promote social cohesion and protect religious freedom; that online platforms take action against hate speech; and that individuals verify information from reliable sources, apply critical thinking, and actively oppose intolerance and xenophobia by fostering a deeper understanding of Islam and the diversity within Muslim communities.
Primary school teacher, imam from the province of Almería, and delegate of the communities of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities in Andalusia.
Associate professor of Sociology at the University of Girona