Launch of the Second International Conference to Combat Islamophobia at the Arab League
Cairo, Aug 3 (KUNA) -- The second International Conference on Combating Discrimination against Islam and Muslims kicked off today at the headquarters of the Arab League, with calls to unify international efforts to confront the phenomenon of "Islamophobia" and to announce the launch of a permanent institutional platform to combat the issue, alongside the unveiling of a unified Arab strategy for the Alliance of Civilizations.
At the opening of the conference, Hussein Hindawi, Assistant Secretary-General for the Monitoring Sector at the Arab League, emphasized that freedom of religion and belief is closely linked to human rights, noting that international covenants guarantee every individual the right to embrace their religion and practice their rituals freely, without discrimination based on religion or belief. He called for unifying regional and international efforts to address the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia.
Hindawi pointed to the latest reports from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, which showed that 47 percent of Muslims in 13 EU member states faced racial discrimination in 2024, compared to 39 percent in 2016. Furthermore, 39 percent of them experienced discrimination while seeking employment, 27 percent faced harassment with racist motives, and 4 percent suffered physical assaults. However, only 6 percent of victims reported these incidents.
He stressed that stereotypes linking Muslims to terrorism, crime, or irregular migration, along with certain political and media discourses, have contributed to fueling hatred and transforming Islamophobia from an individual phenomenon into a component entrenched in political discourse and legislation in some countries. He called for concerted efforts by government, religious, media, educational institutions, and civil society organizations to confront the phenomenon, emphasizing the importance of media in countering hate speech, as well as the role of Islamic centers in promoting values of moderation and peaceful coexistence.
Hindawi noted that the Arab and Islamic worlds have put forward prominent initiatives to enhance dialogue and tolerance, including the "Amman Message," the "Document on Human Fraternity," and the "Mecca Document." He added that the United Nations has adopted several related initiatives and resolutions, the latest being the designation of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
He further explained that the Arab League has paid significant attention to dialogue among civilizations, cultures, and religions, adopting several decisions to combat hate speech and religious and racial discrimination. It has also prepared the Unified Arab Strategy for the Alliance of Civilizations for the period 2026-2031, in preparation for its presentation to the Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs Council for adoption.
Concluding his speech, Hindawi stated that the first conference on combating Islamophobia recommended establishing a permanent, multilateral institutional platform to coordinate efforts, develop a strategic plan, and create mechanisms to implement and monitor recommendations.
The two-day conference, held under the theme "Muslim Communities in the West and Their Role in Confronting Islamophobia," is organized in cooperation between the Arab League and the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO). It features participation from representatives of governments, international and regional organizations, religious institutions, civil society organizations, and youth.
The conference will discuss several key topics, including the role of religious institutions and Islamic centers in consolidating moderate discourse, best practices for countering hate speech, and the role of educational institutions in promoting tolerance, accepting the "other," and empowering youth to spread a culture of coexistence and mutual respect.
The conference also witnesses the launch of the first meeting of the permanent multilateral institutional platform to combat discrimination against Islam and Muslims, aiming to enhance coordination among regional and international institutions and translate the recommendations of the first conference into practical programs and initiatives to curb hate speech and consolidate values of dialogue and shared living. (End) M.M. / A.B.G.
