In a landmark move to address rising anti-Muslim sentiment worldwide, the United Nations has named Spanish diplomat Miguel Ángel Moratinos as its first-ever Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia.
Moratinos, who currently serves as the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations—a body dedicated to fostering intercultural dialogue and countering extremism—will now take on the expanded role of tackling anti-Muslim hatred globally.
With a distinguished career in diplomacy, Moratinos previously served as Spain’s Foreign Minister from 2004 to 2010 and worked closely with the UN during his tenure. From 1996 to 2003, he was the European Union’s Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, where he played a key role in efforts to promote dialogue between Israel and Arab nations. He also served as Spain’s ambassador to Israel in 1996.
The appointment comes as the UN marks the International Day to Combat Islamophobia each year on March 15. This observance was established in 2022 following a resolution spearheaded by Pakistan and unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly, with backing from 60 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Speaking on this year’s observance, Moratinos condemned the surge in anti-Muslim bigotry, warning that hate speech and dehumanizing rhetoric “divide societies, fuel fear and anger, and can lead to violence that threatens global peace and stability.”
He called for a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of hatred and urged governments to implement policies that uphold human rights and protect the cultural and religious identities of minority communities.
Highlighting the need for social cohesion, Moratinos stressed the importance of dialogue, mutual respect, and the recognition of every individual’s dignity as essential tools to counter intolerance and build inclusive societies.
