International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
On this International Day, Freemuslim stands united with all victims who have suffered from acts of violence committed on the basis of religion or belief. Such violence represents not only an attack on individual dignity but also a direct challenge to the principles of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect that every faith tradition calls us to uphold.
Freemuslim reaffirms that violence in all its forms is incompatible with the values of humanity. No religion or belief system should ever be exploited to justify oppression, hatred, or bloodshed. True faith must always be a source of peace, compassion, and justice. This day provides us with a profound opportunity to recommit ourselves to rejecting extremism and intolerance, and to fostering a culture of nonviolence, respect, and understanding.
History has repeatedly shown that societies divided by religious hatred and intolerance inevitably suffer cycles of destruction and instability. Conversely, when governments, faith leaders, and civil society embrace inclusion and dialogue, communities flourish. As Martha C. Nussbaum notes in The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age (2012), discrimination and fear weaken democratic societies, while mutual respect and empathy strengthen them. Similarly, the United Nations Human Rights Council has underscored in its 2020 report (A/HRC/43/48) that the protection of minorities and interfaith cooperation are essential to preventing violence and ensuring freedom of belief. In addition, R. Scott Appleby, in The Ambivalence of the Sacred: Religion, Violence, and Reconciliation (2000), highlights that religious communities, when rejecting extremism, can serve as powerful agents of peace and reconciliation.
On this solemn day, we not only honor the memory of victims but also renew our collective responsibility to ensure that future generations are spared the horrors of sectarian violence. Our mission is clear: to build a world where differences in faith or belief are seen not as barriers, but as bridges toward greater understanding and shared humanity. Freemuslim remains steadfast in advocating for minorities, strengthening peaceful coexistence, and cultivating a future where every individual can live free from fear, persecution, and violence.
