International conference in Baku galvanizes efforts against Islamophobia

The bustling city of Baku played host to a two-day international scientific conference titled "Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024," marking a pivotal moment in the global discourse on combatting discrimination and fostering inclusivity.

Organized jointly by the Baku International Center for Multiculturalism, the Center for the Analysis of International Relations, the G20 Interreligious Dialogue Forum, and the Baku Initiative Group, the conference convened scholars, policymakers, and activists from around the world to address the pressing issue of Islamophobia, Azertag reports.

At the inauguration ceremony, Assistant to the President and head of the foreign policy department of the presidential administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, delivered the address of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, underscoring the nation's commitment to promoting tolerance and diversity on the global stage.

Ravan Hasanov, executive director of the Baku International Center for Multiculturalism, who spoke at the event, noted that the agenda of the conference organized in Baku for the second time discussed what can be done in the context of the fight against Islamophobia at the international level, and called discrimination and Islamophobia modern realities. According to him, discrimination against people, language enmity, isolation complicate life.

The executive director noted that there are currently cases of isolation and discrimination against Muslims in the world. "This is especially true in Western countries. Heinous acts against Muslims continue. We can all live in the world," he added.

The Chairman of the Board of the Center for the Analysis of International Relations, Farid Shafyev, emphasized that in the modern world, Christians are also victims of discrimination, and the whole world must fight this phenomenon. Shafyev noted that, while talking about Islamophobia, gender issues should also be discussed.

He also spoke about the act of vandalism against the monument of Khurshidban Natavan in France. Having informed that Azerbaijan moved the monument to its embassy in this country, Farid Shafyev stated that this act of vandalism is connected with France's policy towards our republic.

Shafyev noted that discrimination is currently observed in global mass media. Events organized by the Azerbaijani side are regularly criticized by Western mass media.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, Miguel Angel Moratinos' address to the participants of the event was also read.

The appeal expresses regret that a large number of Muslims around the world are becoming victims of Islamophobia. The spread of Islamophobia in various countries of the world is not just hatred of Muslims, it is a phobia, the document says.

Noting that hatred of Muslims contradicts human rights, Miguel Ángel Moratinos emphasized that in order to create a just world in which everyone lives in peace and harmony, people must fight intolerance together: "Compassion and mutual respect are the basis of all religions in the world. And our duty is to protect it.”

In his speech at the conference, the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIS) for political issues, Yusuf al-Dubey, said that the declaration by the United Nations of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia is an important step in the fight against Islamophobia. In this struggle, OIS members have a greater responsibility, he emphasized.

Noting that in recent years, Azerbaijan has held various high-level events dedicated to the fight against Islamophobia, and has taken exemplary steps, Yusuf al-Dubey said that the current event also reflects Azerbaijan's position. "The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is impatiently waiting for the results of today's conference," the guest added.

The Assistant Secretary General of OIS emphasized that acts of a provocative nature continue to be committed in the world. People become targets because of their religious beliefs.

"Various measures must be taken to prevent harassment and discrimination against Muslims. OIS calls on international organizations, civil society to unite and mobilize efforts against this", Yusuf al-Dubey stressed.

Speaking at the conference, the president of the G20 Interreligious Dialogue Forum, Cole Durham, noted the need to fight Islamophobia in every way. He emphasized that the world should respond adequately to prejudices, negative tendencies towards Islam, and the scale of the fight against Islamophobia should be expanded.

After the opening ceremony, the international conference continued its work with plenary sessions.