International Day to Combat Islamophobia2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/76/254
About International Day to Combat Islamophobia
International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed on 15 March. The United Nations General Assembly designated the day in 2022 to promote dialogue, tolerance, peace, human rights and respect for religious diversity while drawing attention to discrimination, hostility and violence directed at Muslims.
UN materials emphasize that terrorism and violent extremism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.
Why International Day to Combat Islamophobia matters
The day focuses on anti-Muslim hatred, negative stereotyping, discrimination and violence while placing that work within the broader principles of freedom of religion or belief, equality and human dignity.
Responsible observance should oppose both anti-Muslim bigotry and other forms of religious hatred, avoid collective blame, and distinguish criticism of ideas or institutions from hostility toward people because of their identity or beliefs.
History of International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Following the 15 March 2019 terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation called for 15 March to be designated internationally as a day to combat Islamophobia.
On 15 March 2022, Pakistan introduced a draft on behalf of the OIC group and the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/76/254, designating 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The United Nations held the first commemoration in March 2023. On 15 March 2024, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/78/264 on measures to combat Islamophobia, adding a later institutional action without replacing the 2022 establishing resolution.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
The 2022 General Assembly meeting record shows Pakistan introducing the draft on behalf of the OIC group; UN background material says the resolution was sponsored by OIC Member States.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/76/254
First documented observance
UN reporting describes the March 2023 commemoration as the first International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Adopted additional measures to combat Islamophobia, including further institutional follow-up, without replacing the 2022 resolution that established the annual Day.
United Nations General Assembly · A/RES/78/264
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Use human-rights resources to learn how freedom of religion or belief and non-discrimination apply to people of all faiths and beliefs.
Challenge anti-Muslim stereotypes with verified information and avoid repeating hateful claims merely for attention.
Include discussion of how antisemitism, anti-Christian hatred and other religious intolerance can intersect with broader patterns of discrimination.
If moderating an event or online discussion, set clear rules against dehumanization, collective blame and incitement to violence.
International Day to Combat Islamophobia Facts
The International Day is observed on 15 March.
The General Assembly adopted A/RES/76/254 on 15 March 2022.
Pakistan introduced the establishing draft on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The first UN commemoration took place in March 2023.
A/RES/78/264, adopted on 15 March 2024, is a later resolution on measures to combat Islamophobia rather than the original establishing act.
International Day to Combat Islamophobia Messages
Wishing everyone observing International Day to Combat Islamophobia a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On International Day to Combat Islamophobia, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
May International Day to Combat Islamophobia encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
International Day to Combat Islamophobia Quotes
“Let’s eradicate the scourge of Islamophobia from every country and community.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/78/264 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Meetings Coverage — A/RES/76/254 adoption (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day to Combat Islamophobia (opens in a new tab)
United Nations in Türkiye — first International Day (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Web TV — General Assembly 61st plenary meeting, 76th session (opens in a new tab)
un.org — authoritative source (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day to Combat Islamophobia?
15 March The documented recurrence rule is: 15 March.
Does International Day to Combat Islamophobia fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day to Combat Islamophobia an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day to Combat Islamophobia?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Is International Day to Combat Islamophobia international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When did the UN establish the International Day to Combat Islamophobia?
The General Assembly adopted A/RES/76/254 on 15 March 2022, designating 15 March as the annual International Day.
Why is it observed on 15 March?
The proposal followed the terrorist attacks on two Christchurch mosques on 15 March 2019 and the OIC’s subsequent call to use that date for an international day against Islamophobia.
Was there later UN action?
Yes. On 15 March 2024 the General Assembly adopted A/RES/78/264 on measures to combat Islamophobia. It is later institutional follow-up, not the original establishing resolution.
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