Azerbaijan hosts global conference to combat Islamophobia and promote religious tolerance
As global reports of Islamophobia grow, a high-level international conference in Baku brings together scholars, activists and faith leaders to confront hatred and call for cooperation and dialogue.
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00:00We are unified, we are together, and we are informed, we are ready to fight
00:05not just Islamophobia, but all kind of discrimination also.
00:15Azerbaijan welcomes the resolutions on combating Islamophobia adopted by the UN General Assembly
00:21and calls for the immediate implementation of all measures envisaged in those resolutions.
00:26The third international conference on combating Islamophobia took place in Baku in Azerbaijan,
00:32held under the theme unveiling bias and shattering stigmas. It builds upon Azerbaijan's steadfast
00:38commitment to combating misinformation, global manifestations, and Islamophobia in all its forms.
00:45New forms of Islamophobia based on the racism, discrimination, and hatred are emerging,
00:51and social media and certain media outlets are contributing a lot. Unfortunately,
00:55what we see is that a tendency of radicalism and extremism in a different part of the world,
01:00and currents and crises and conflicts are also contributing a lot in this particular moment,
01:05and we think that global communities should come together and fight elements of Islamophobia
01:10and tendencies of Islamophobia together.
01:12The event hosted over 120 foreign guests, including scholars from 40 countries,
01:18who came together with a universal call for the protection of human rights, tolerance, and social justice.
01:25The forum was not a religious one, but nonetheless brought together many multi-faith leaders from around the globe,
01:32sharing their solidarity on the importance of coexistence and social harmony.
01:36Events like this are critical, because where do we talk about it?
01:41We hear about some crisis, we hear about a bombing, we hear about people doing something mean and hateful and retaliation.
01:47If we don't have forums like this, there's nowhere to talk, there's nowhere to meet, they're critical.
01:52Information must go together with cooperation, with thinking together and to have, because to have not fear.
02:05When we have fear one for another, that it's, and to lose the fear, that means we must find the platform to dialogue.
02:17And we are able, Catholics, Christians speak with peace in heart, with Muslims, with Jewish,
02:25I think that is a good example for the young people.
02:30Do not be close in some small groups against another world, but we are living, we said in one ship,
02:38we are living in the world, and I hope that God help us to find the common language.
02:44Reports of Islamophobia have intensified in recent years, highlighting the growing discrimination,
02:51moral pressure and violence that some Muslim communities are facing around the world.
02:55Azerbaijan's efforts are not limited to domestic policy, but extend to international cooperation and global dialogue.
03:03Esma Ukan is the first female chair of the Muslim Council of Belgium, and reflects on the situation in Europe.
03:09There is this reality in Europe, not only in Belgium, but other European countries, that we see that far right is more and more increasing.
03:18So this is not only the reality of one country, it's also the reality of different European countries.
03:24So we have to face a very, very big challenge as believing people.
03:29There is this understanding of mistrust between states and communities, and I hope that one day, especially the governments of the different European countries,
03:39can see the value of these believing communities, and that they will also see them as full-fledged citizens.
03:47Yes, we face difficulties, but by coming to these kind of conferences, by raising and letting our voices be heard,
03:57I think we can start the dialogue and to work to a better society where everyone has a place.
04:05The role of AI and digital media in both spreading and combating Islamophobia was widely discussed.
04:12A local host website has been launched as an observatory platform that will reflect the state of Islamophobia worldwide.
04:19Call it Islamophobia, call it discrimination, call it hate, whatever you call it, but it is reality, unfortunately.
04:25I'm personally not so naive to believe that with one conference we will resolve the problems so much.
04:30But it's awareness, you know, to give, to show our voice, to raise our voice, that we know what are you doing, and stop doing this one.
04:40And we know that step by step will be some results, not to absolutely, maybe it's impossible to give, to reach absolute result,
04:48but somehow to reduce the rate of Islamophobia.
04:51And it's only a unified effort that will ensure those results become a reality.
