Islamophobia and its manifestations of hate, discrimination, and attacks on Muslim religious and cultural symbols is a reality. Recognizing this disturbing global trend, the United Nations has approved a resolution setting March 15th as the International day to Combat Islamophobia. The US Congress, on the other hand, has also concluded that we are in the midst of staggering anti-Muslim violence and discrimination around the world (Rep. Ilhan Omar), and passed a bill, the Combating International Islamophobia Act … for combating acts of Islamophobia that occur in foreign countries.
Recognizing the significance of these landmark global developments, social activists around the world have united to form the March 15th Forum to institutionalize the struggle against Islamophobia.
The Forum aims to commemorate, at the global level, March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, emphasizing the necessity to combat hate and fear against Islam and Muslims; raising awareness of anti-Muslim hate, xenophobia, violence, discrimination, negative profiling, and stereotyping of Muslims; promoting interfaith understanding, cultural harmony, tolerance, and co-existence among all religions, nations, and races.
Toward this end, the March 15th Forum’s first task is to develop a global infrastructure of collaboration between international and regional organizations, civil society, the private sector, and faith-based organizations.
