BAKU, 29th May, 2025 (WAM) -- The Muslim Council of Elders participated in organising the Third International Conference on Combating Islamophobia, held in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, from 26th to 27th May 2025, under the theme: "Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas."

The event brought together a wide array of religious leaders, policymakers, scholars, and experts from across the globe.

In his address at the conference, Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research, emphasised that confronting Islamophobia requires moving beyond conventional approaches and adopting strategies that are both more comprehensive and specialised.

He stressed that Islamophobia is not merely a natural fear of difference, but rather a deliberate, targeted behavior stemming from an institutionalised hate discourse that is learned and perpetuated.

He called for the urgent need to renew the concepts and terminology associated with the phenomenon, in a way that reflects the actual lived experiences of Muslims in the West and enhances understanding within international institutions and societies.

Dr. Boudinar, delivering the speech on behalf of Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, emphasised the need to develop clear conceptual frameworks and precise practices that contribute to building a robust knowledge base-one that enables the design of effective initiatives and projects.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening media monitoring and analyzing Western narratives related to the portrayal of Muslims, particularly in light of the growing wave of hate speech driven by the rise of populist right-wing movements that exploit media tools and artificial intelligence to spread negative stereotypes about Islam.

He went on to explain that five years ago, the Muslim Council of Elders launched an initiative to produce a comprehensive legal report on hate speech targeting Muslims and the legal procedures surrounding it in countries affected by Islamophobia. Developed in cooperation with international legal and consulting institutions, the report-spanning over 140 pages-offers an in-depth analysis of the legislative frameworks and procedural challenges involved in combating Islamophobia in several European countries.

He also emphasised the pivotal role of youth, describing them not only as a central focus of institutions but as a vital force for renewal and innovation, especially in the areas of media influence, grassroots engagement, and digital communication. The Muslim Council of Elders, he noted, places great importance on youth empowerment through various initiatives such as the Emerging Peacebuilders Forum (EPF) and the "Global Student Dialogues on Human Fraternity" programme, among others.

The conference "Islamophobia in Focus" was co-organised by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) in Azerbaijan, the Baku Process Initiative Group, and several international partners. It brought together prominent religious leaders and policymakers from across the globe to examine the pressing challenges posed by Islamophobia.