Participants at the Second International Conference to Combat Discrimination Against Islam and Muslims have called for stronger regional and international cooperation to tackle the growing threat of Islamophobia and translate recommendations into practical programmes that promote dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The two-day conference, held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, was organised by the Arab League and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO).
It brought together government officials, international organisations, religious leaders, civil society groups and youth representatives under the theme, ‘Muslim Communities in the West and Their Role in Confronting Islamophobia.’
Arab League Assistant Secretary-General for Oversight Affairs, Ambassador Hussein Hindawi, described freedom of religion and belief as a fundamental right protected by international conventions.
He warned that Islamophobia had evolved from isolated incidents into a wider social and political challenge.
Citing data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Hindawi said 47 per cent of Muslims in 13 EU member states reported racial discrimination in 2024, up from 39 per cent in 2016.
He said 39 per cent experienced discrimination while seeking employment, 27 per cent faced racist harassment and four per cent suffered physical attacks, while only six per cent reported such incidents to authorities.
He blamed stereotypes linking Muslims with terrorism, crime and irregular migration for fuelling hostility and urged governments, religious institutions, educational bodies, the media and civil society to work together against hate speech.
The conference also launched the Permanent Multilateral Institutional Platform to Combat Discrimination Against Islam and Muslims to strengthen international coordination and turn previous recommendations into concrete action.
Participants also discussed the role of education, religious institutions, civil society and youth in promoting tolerance and mutual respect. (The Arab Weekly)