(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 16. Participants of the
international conference themed“Islamophobia as a Specific Form of
Racism and Discrimination: New Global and Transnational Challenges”
in Baku have released a joint communiqué, trend reports.
According to the communiqué, the conference was aimed to
contribute to the fight against Islamophobia in all its forms and
manifestations.
“The participants of the conference, referring to the resolution
12408 (2022) adopted by the UN General Assembly, proclaiming March
15 as the International Day against Islamophobia, stressed that
Islamophobia has emerged as a new form of racism, which includes,
among other things, discrimination, stigmatization and exclusion in
all areas life,” the communiqué said.
The communiqué noted that during the conference, participants
discussed issues of an inter-sectoral approach in the fight against
Islamophobia, conspiracy theories about Muslims in Western
cultures, historical and modern views on Islamophobia, joint
cooperation in the fight against Islamophobia and the role of
international organizations, building harmonious societies by
encouraging religious diversity and interfaith respect.
“The participants recognized that Islamophobia and Orientalism,
in all their complexity, have deep roots in the history of European
colonialism. They stressed the presence of Islamophobic prejudices
and mindsets among politicians and their influence in many
political institutions at all levels, from the European Parliament
to local municipalities,” the communiqué further said.
Besides, according to the communiqué, deep concern was expressed
about the ever-increasing signs of structural Islamophobia in
Europe and other parts of the world, which has recently reached its
peak.
“The conference participants called for an end to the spread of
prejudice and bias against Islam and Muslims that undermines the
foundations of inclusive societies, emphasized the need to
establish clear boundaries between freedom of speech and incitement
to hatred and to prevent defamatory and mocking rhetoric (for
example, in the case of Charlie Hebdo),” the communiqué also
noted.
Following the communiqué, the conference reaffirmed the
responsibility of international organizations and politicians to
expand existing legal instruments and policy measures, which are
insufficient to combat stereotypes about Islam and Muslims.
“The participants agreed to further strengthen cooperation in
the fight against Islamophobia. Gratitude is expressed to the
organizers of the conference for the timely initiative and
hospitality,' the communiqué concluded.
The international conference dedicated to the International Day
to Combat Islamophobia was organized by the Baku International
Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), the Center of Analysis of
International Relations (AIR Center), and the G20 Interfaith Forum
on March 15-16.
The main purpose of the conference was to provide an academic
discussion platform on the alarming trends targeting Muslims and
Muslim-populated countries at international and national
levels.
The conference, bringing together scientists, experts of
international organizations, religious figures, and representatives
of non-governmental organizations from 32 countries, featured
discussions on different approaches in the fight against
Islamophobia, a manifestation of Islamophobia in some European
countries, and Islamophobia in the international media.
15 March was designated as the“International Day to Combat
Islamophobia” at the session of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), held in
Niamey, Niger, on November 27-28, 2020. In 2022, the United Nations
General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring March 15
“International Day to Combat Islamophobia”.