"One of the things that fuel terrorism is the expression in some parts of the world of Islamophobic feelings and Islamophobic policies and Islamophobic hate speeches," Guterres said at a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.
"This is sometimes the best support that Daesh can have to make its own propaganda," he added, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.
He made his remarks after speaking to Saudi King Salman, Crown Prince and Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef, and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The 'donkey' will destroy America
Guterres’ comments carry factual legitimacy as terrorist organisations have in fact stated they intend to capitalise on the rising Islamophobia in the Western world.
Hours after Donald Trump won the US election of 2016, the Islamic State [IS] group were quick to rejoice at the news, saying that his victory is a catalyst for “the end of the American empire”.
Trump, who is branded as a “donkey” by the terrorist organisation led a campaign, in which Islamophobia was a main feature.
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IS clarified that they will use his divisive narrative and Islamophobia as a mechanism to radicalise potential recruits, and take advantage of the “us and them” rhetoric that Trump is pedalling.
“It is either them or us,” they said. “We ask Allah to make their destruction caused by their own plans and their death come among themselves. The world is going to experience a change and this change will put Islam in the leadership position as the end result.”
Within seven days of his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order banning entries from seven Muslim majority countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
IS members immediately hailed the ban, describing it as “blessed” and “the best caller to Islam”.
Solving the regional crisis
Bringing regional crises to an end was also featured in the meeting.
Guterres branded the talks with the Saudi officials as “very important and very constructive.”
He spoke of the importance of “comprehensive political solutions" to bring people together "from Libya to Yemen, to Syria, to Iraq.”
Guterres placed particular importance on ending the Yemen crisis, in which Saudi Arabia has been complicit in by orchestrating a military intervention nearly two years ago.
“To see this [Yemeni] people, that is so generous, suffering so much, is something that really breaks my heart,” Guterres said.