Azerbaijan to host C6 event on combating Islamophobia

Azerbaijan is set to host an international event in April 2026 focusing on the issue of Islamophobia, organisers have announced.

According to Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the organisation, the Centre for Analysis of International Relations (CAIR) will lead the initiative, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“Baku has regularly become a hub for events aimed at addressing Islamophobia, and this work will continue next year,” Shafiyev said during the presentation of CAIR’s annual report.

He also confirmed plans for a separate gathering involving the C6 countries — Azerbaijan, together with Central Asian nations — scheduled for 2026.

On March 16, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning advocacy of religious hatred that incites discrimination, hostility, or violence against Muslims, amid rising global Islamophobia.

The resolution, titled “Measures to Combat Islamophobia” and tabled by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, passed with 113 votes in favour, none against, and 44 abstentions. It calls on the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special envoy to address Islamophobia and urges member states to combat religious intolerance, negative stereotyping, and violence against Muslims.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the growing anti-Muslim hate worldwide, noting that institutional discrimination, divisive rhetoric, and online hate speech are threatening the rights and dignity of Muslim communities. 

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan welcomed the resolutions on combating Islamophobia adopted by the UN General Assembly and called for the immediate implementation of all measures outlined in the documents.

Speaking at the International Conference titled "Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas", President Aliyev said, "Regrettably, Islamophobia has recently become more pronounced and systematic on a global scale. Currently, this negative trend extends beyond the borders of any single country and is observed in many parts of the world. Hostility towards Islam, hatred and intolerance against Muslims, and anti-Islamic sentiment are becoming increasingly widespread and severe."

He added, "Islamophobia manifests in various forms, including everyday racism and discrimination, hate speech, physical attacks, stigmatisation in the media and on social media platforms, institutional bias, and other expressions of intolerance. Such unjust and prejudiced attitudes significantly hinder Muslims’ ability to integrate into society and to feel like full-fledged members."

By Aghakazim Guliyev