Azerbaijani president calls on Muslim nations to stand as ‘unified front' in combating Islamophobia

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Monday called on Muslim nations to stand as a “united front” in combating Islamophobia.

In an address read to participants of a two-day international conference in Baku, themed Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas, Aliyev argued that multiple factors, including rising Islamophobic trends, make it imperative for Muslim nations to not only unite, but also strengthen their solidarity and extend mutual support.

“We must stand as a unified front in combating Islamophobia, which afflicts the entire Muslim world, and raise our voices in protest against this injustice and these harmful trends,” Aliyev was quoted as saying in a corresponding transcript posted by the Azerbaijani presidency.

In his address to the conference, where Anadolu is the global communications partner, Aliyev said Islamophobia has recently become “more pronounced and systematic” on a global scale.

“Hostility towards Islam, hatred and intolerance against Muslims, and anti-Islamic sentiment are becoming increasingly widespread and severe,” Aliyev said, expressing that Islamophobia manifests itself in various forms.

He further argued that such attitudes, which he defined as “unjust and prejudiced,” significantly hinder the ability of Muslims to integrate into society and feel like full-fledged members.

Saying that Islamophobia has become a state policy in some countries, particularly those with a colonial past, Aliyev said: “In those countries, laws are enacted to restrict the rights and religious freedoms of Muslims, while their rights to education, housing, and employment are systematically violated -- all under the guise of defending secular values.”

He condemned attacks on the Islamic faith and Muslims under the pretext of “freedom of speech” as “unacceptable,” also arguing that some countries are encouraging Islamophobia, without further elaboration.

“Supporters of radical movements and far-right parties seek to win the hearts and minds of the people by portraying Islam and Muslims as a threat to Western values and identity, thereby expanding their base and securing more seats in various parliaments,” he said.

Aliyev went on to argue that bodies like the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which he claimed are driven by “bias and double standards,” contribute to the spread of anti-Muslim sentiment.

He said that another factor contributing to the spread of Islamophobia is the activity of certain media organizations, which he said play a “destructive role in shaping public opinion and fostering a negative image of Muslims.”

“Such media outlets deliberately equate Islam with extremism, terrorism, and similar concepts, promoting a biased perception of our religion, portraying it as a source of threat, and unjustly labeling it as a religion of terror. They foment mistrust and fear in society by linking the country's sociopolitical and socioeconomic problems to Islam and Muslims,” he further said.

“Islam is a religion of peace, solidarity, and mercy. Despite ongoing smear campaigns, it continues to embody the highest moral values, justice, and compassion, serving as both a moral anchor and a guiding force for billions of people around the world,” he added.