United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. A/RES/75/309, dated 21 July 2021, on the “Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech,” proclaimed 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The resolution recognizes the urgent need to combat discrimination, xenophobia, and hate speech, and calls on all relevant stakeholders, including States, to intensify their efforts to address this phenomenon, in line with international human rights law.
On this day, Alkarama firmly reaffirms its commitment to raising awareness of human rights and opposing all forms of incitement to hatred and racism. Alkarama especially warns of the alarming rise in anti-Muslim hate speech, which is growing in many societies and threatening the fundamental values of justice, coexistence, and peace.
Hate speech against Muslims goes beyond words: it also manifests in crimes and systematic acts of discrimination, which fuel fear, isolation, and foster extremist and violent tendencies. Such discourse undermines social cohesion and deepens cultural and religious divides, in blatant violation of the principles of human rights and human dignity.
In France, for example, Muslims have recently been victims of several tragic incidents resulting from the growing prevalence of hate speech in the public sphere—disseminated by the far right and even by parts of the so-called moderate right—highlighting the urgency of confronting this scourge.
On 25 April 2025, Aboubakar Sissè, a young Muslim of Malian origin, was stabbed to death inside the Khadija Mosque in La Grand-Combe. The perpetrator filmed the murder on his phone, boasted about it, and threatened to repeat the act—clearly demonstrating the destructive influence of hate speech on individuals.
On 31 May 2025, Hichem Miraoui, a 46-year-old Tunisian barber, was the victim of a racist attack in Puget-sur-Argens, in southern France. He was shot five times in front of his shop, resulting in his death, while his Turkish neighbor was slightly injured. Investigations revealed that the assailant had posted videos on social media before and after the attack, expressing hatred of foreigners, inciting violence, and endorsing far-right ideologies. He also showcased firearms in the videos and promised to continue violent actions against Muslims and foreigners.
Alkarama urges the international community to adopt firm measures to counter hate speech, particularly that which targets Muslims. It emphasizes the need for effective implementation of national and international legal frameworks that criminalize incitement to hatred, while ensuring that freedom of expression is not misused to justify discrimination and racism.
Alkarama also highlights the responsibility of official institutions and the media to expose the sources of hate and to promote an alternative discourse based on respect and diversity, with the goal of building just, equal societies free from hatred and racism, founded on respect for human dignity and the rights of all, without exception.