A/72/365 Interim report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Summary The present report by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, provides an overview of his mandated activities since he officially took office in November 2016. The Special Rapporteur reports on the increase in religious intolerance worldwide and discusses the gap between international commitments to combat intolerant acts and national practices. He encourages States to make greater use of existing United Nations mechanisms to combat religious intolerance and concludes with recommendations that States, faith leaders, civil society and the media should consider in promoting and protecting freedo m of religion or belief. 2/24 17-14822