Miguel Ángel Moratinos: Leading the Global Fight Against Islamophobia from the United Nations
From Spanish Foreign Minister to UN Envoy, Moratinos Advocates for Religious Tolerance and Global Solidarity Against Rising Anti-Muslim Hatred.
Watan-Miguel Ángel Moratinos, a seasoned Spanish diplomat and former Foreign Minister, has been appointed the UN’s first Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia in May 2025. This role complements his ongoing position as High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations. In this in-depth interview, Moratinos explains how his new
mandate stems from a UN General Assembly resolution passed in March 2024 that recognizes Islamophobia as a violation of human rights.
He stresses that the position sends a global message: combating anti-Muslim hate requires coordinated international efforts. His goals include advising governments, monitoring data on hate crimes, and promoting global awareness. With nearly 2.5 billion Muslims worldwide, Moratinos argues that their rights, identity, and dignity must be protected through legal, social, and cultural mechanisms.
Moratinos sees no contradiction in holding both titles; rather, he believes they reinforce each other in the pursuit of intercultural dialogue. Despite rising global hate speech, he upholds the enduring relevance of the motto: “Many cultures, one humanity.”
Moratinos: UN Must Confront Politicized Islamophobia with Global Unity and Grassroots Action
Responding to increased attacks on Muslims—especially in Europe and the U.S.—Moratinos links the trend to economic fears, misinformation, and politicized xenophobia. He condemns the instrumentalization of Islamophobia for political gain, especially by far-right populists, and advocates for global education and engagement with civil society and faith leaders.
He also notes the UN does not endorse definitions for hate-related terms like antisemitism or Islamophobia but focuses instead on frameworks for action. Regarding state-sponsored Islamophobia, he calls for a principled response grounded in human rights and international law.
Moratinos concludes by emphasizing grassroots success stories from around the world and reaffirms that the UN remains the best platform to counter systemic hatred with unity, compassion, and accountability.
