UN circulates Azerbaijani president’s anti-Islamophobia address as official document

The address delivered by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to participants of the international scientific conference titled “Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas,” held on May 26-27 in Baku, has been officially circulated as a document of the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.

According to a statement by the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, reported by Caliber.Az, “This fact once again demonstrates that President Ilham Aliyev’s calls to combat Islamophobia, as well as the importance that the head of our state attaches to tolerance and multiculturalism, receive high recognition from the international community.”

In his address, President Aliyev “drew attention to the growing manifestations of Islamophobia and emphasised that this negative trend poses a threat to international peace and security. The President noted that the fight against religious intolerance, discrimination, and calls for hatred is possible only through joint international efforts.”

The statement further noted that “The circulation of this address as an official UN document is yet another indication of the international support provided to the policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on the principles of multiculturalism and religious solidarity.”

The conference itself was jointly organised by the Baku International Centre for Multiculturalism, the Centre for the Analysis of International Relations, and the Baku Initiative Group. It was dedicated to the 3rd anniversary of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

Foreign partners of the event included prominent organizations such as the G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), ICESCO, the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, EULEMA – the European Muslim Leaders Assembly, and the International Muslim Forum.

Nearly 200 participants from about 40 countries attended the conference, representing scholars, experts from international organisations, religious leaders, and representatives of non-governmental organisations.

By Vugar Khalilov