UNESCO clarifies it never awarded Islam title of 'most peaceful religion in the world'

On Monday, Radio Pakistan wrongly reported that UNESCO had issued an award to Islam calling it the 'most peaceful religion in the world'.  The article is now deleted. Similar rumours have often gone viral on Indian social media about UNESCO declaring some sort of best award. We’ve had forwards which claimed that UNESCO had declared PM Modi the ‘best PM in the world’ and that the Indian national anthem had been declared the best in the world.

UNESCO declares Islam as the most peaceful religion of the world https://t.co/7h4ihNUrWa

— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 11, 2016

Another popular rumour was created by a satire website Junta Ka Reporter which had claimed that UNESCO had declared ‘Islam is the most peaceful religion in the world’.

UNESCO put out a statement denying ever making such proclamations. 

We wish to refer to the recent allegations posted on the website juntakareporter, citing an alleged statement and certificate from UNESCO declaring "Islam as the most peaceful religion of the world". Such statement was never made by the Organization and that the certificate reproduced on this website is a fake one. The website that published this information is a satirical media.

UNESCO has never had any official relationship with the entity referred to as "International Peace Foundation", nor has it ever supported such a statement or granted any diploma of this kind.

In line with its mandate, the Organization has the responsibility to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue on a global scale, with the unerring support of its Member States, partners and networks. In doing so, UNESCO promotes respect on equal grounds for all traditions and faiths, always striving to build bridges and strengthen ties whenever possible.