TRNC official links Islamophobia to Muslim migrant workers’ social demands

Special Advisor to the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on International Relations and Diplomacy Hüseyin Işıksal has said that one of the fundamental causes of Islamophobia stems from the social demands of Muslim migrant workers who arrive in Europe seeking jobs.

Speaking at the international conference “Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas” in Baku, Işıksal emphasised that Muslim migrants, like many others, aspire to decent living conditions and fair access to jobs, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

“As Muslims were often employed in physically demanding jobs, their legitimate demands for better conditions caused concern among Europeans,” he said. 

The special advisor also highlighted the ongoing discrimination faced by Northern Cyprus, which continues to suffer from embargoes rooted in religious bias.

“Despite possessing all the attributes of a modern state, we face inhumane embargoes simply because we are Muslim. We currently maintain representative offices in 20 countries, and the number of our consulates is expected to grow in the near future. This reality must be recognised,” he added.

A two-day international conference themed “Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas” kicked off in Baku on May 26.

Marking the 3rd anniversary of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, the event is co-organised by the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, the Centre of Analysis of International Relations, and the Baku Initiative Group.

Among the conference’s international partners are the G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCF), the Council of Muslim Elders, the Central Council of Muslims of Germany, the European Muslim Leaders’ Assembly (EULEMA), and the International Muslim Forum.

The main aim of the event is to establish an academic platform for discussing the growing global and national trends targeting Muslims and Muslim-majority countries. Scholars from nearly 40 countries, experts from international organizations, religious leaders, and representatives of non-governmental organisations are participating in the conference.

The conference is featuring discussions on the Global Trends in Islamophobia: Challenges and Responses, Anti-Muslim Hatred in Politics: Legal Frameworks and Advocacy Strategies, Islamophobia in Different Contexts: Regional Perspectives, Islamophobia in Media and Digital Platforms: How Artificial Intelligence Systems Can Spread and Reinforce Islamophobic Bias, Women, Identity and Stereotypes: Navigating the Intersection of Religious and Cultural Prejudices, Institutionalization of Anti-Muslim Legislation in Europe: Rhetoric in the Context of Radicalization of Islamophobic Propaganda, Preserving Islamic Cultural Heritage in a Changing World and Youth Call for Inclusion: Combating Bias and Misconceptions.  

By Naila Huseynova