Intolerance and hatred against Muslims is pervasive, harming social cohesion and security, OSCE says
BERN/WARSAW, 15 March 2026 — Muslims of all ages continue to be singled out for hate-motivated physical violence, threats and property attacks across all spheres of private and public life, risking an increase in polarisation and potentially threatening the stability of our societies, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
”All forms of racism, discrimination and incitement to hatred must be firmly rejected. Respect for freedom of religion or belief, and for the dignity of every individual, is a cornerstone of the OSCE,” said OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. “International law clearly prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion or belief. The OSCE remains committed to fostering dialogue and the peaceful coexistence of diverse communities”.
Findings from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) show that Muslim women continue to be threatened and subjected to physical and sexual assaults, often by male perpetrators of a different ethnic background. Muslim children and youth often face intolerance at school, on public transport, or even at home from their neighbours, instilling a sense of fear that can be hard to overcome.
“Prejudice and hatred against Muslims form a toxic combination that does not only affect the Muslim community, but the security of our societies,” said the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Maria Telalian. “Intolerance against Muslim women, children and youth is particularly unacceptable. Political and religious leaders must condemn anti-Muslim hatred whenever it occurs, paving the way for the dialogue that is vital to counter discrimination and intolerance.”
ODIHR’s most recent hate crime report also recorded numerous threats and acts of violence targeting Muslim worshippers in mosques, seriously impeding their right to freedom of religion or belief. Such anti-Muslim attacks often seek to humiliate Muslims and belittle their religious practices in order to send a broader message that they are not welcome.
Hatred against Muslims or other religious or belief communities rarely takes place in isolation, often going hand in hand with other forms of intolerance. Bias can lead to discrimination, which can in turn lead to violence. This does not only harm the individuals and communities concerned, but can also undermine security, with tensions potentially escalating into wider conflicts.
While the main responsibility for addressing these issues rests with governments, civil society plays a vital role in monitoring and countering anti-Muslim hate crime. Many victims are reluctant to report their experiences to the authorities and often turn to civil society organizations to report a crime, seek support, and access the services they need. Through genuine collaboration with civil society, governments can develop effective and targeted responses to tackle hate crime and meet the differing needs of individual victims.
“We see disrespect, discrimination and intolerance against Muslims growing in intensity and in geographical scope, while stereotyping, stigmatizing and scapegoating of Muslims can be witnessed in the mainstream politics of an increasing number of OSCE countries,” said the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, Ambassador Evren Dağdelen Akgün. “Such intolerance is not a threat to Muslims alone, but strikes at the core principles of human rights, justice, equality and freedom that underpin and sustain democratic societies. If left unaddressed, such intolerance undermines social cohesion and weakens security, eroding the conditions for peaceful coexistence. That makes the need for greater political will in effectively addressing the normalization of hatred against Muslims all the more urgent.”
In acknowledgment of the discrimination and hatred many Muslims face worldwide, the United Nations has declared March 15 the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. All OSCE participating States have committed to fighting prejudice, intolerance and discrimination against Muslims and to advance freedom of religion or belief for everyone.
