International Day To Combat Islamophobia

International Day To Combat Islamophobia is an international observance designated by United Nations in 2022, taking place on 15 March every year in 140 countries worldwide. The date, March 15, was chosen as it is the anniversary of the Christchurch mosque shootings, in which 51 people were killed during Friday prayer.

Background
Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with 1.9 billion followers representing 24.9% of world population. Islamophobia is the unreasonable dislike or fear of, and prejudice against, Muslims or Islam.

Throughout history, many incidences of ethnic cleansing of Muslims were reported across the world, most notably the Circassian genocide, the Srebrenica massacre, the Sabra and Shatila massacre, and the ongoing Rohingya, Uygher, and Palestine genocides. Islamophobia escalated after the September 11 attacks, which caused great distress to Muslims in Europe and the United States.



Official recognition
On 15 March 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus which was introduced by Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation that proclaimed March 15 as 'International Day to Combat Islamophobia'.