The International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID is reaffirming its commitment to mitigating anti-Muslim hatred and religiously motivated discrimination through dialogue-driven approaches and multifaith partnerships, as highlighted during the 3rd International Conference on "Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas," held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 26-27 May.

Bringing together leading international organizations, intergovernmental institutions, academic voices, and religious leadership, the conference commemorates the third anniversary of the UN-designated International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The diversity of the conveners, including the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, the Center for Analysis of International Relations, and the Baku Initiative Group, as well as prominent multilateral, interfaith, and academic actors, reflects a growing global alliance committed to addressing religious discrimination through inclusive, multilateral action. It offers a timely platform for exchanging practical strategies and evidence-based responses to Islamophobia, with a focus on digital narratives, gendered dimensions of discrimination, and the launch of a new global observatory and policy report aimed at informing international responses.

KAICIID's participation aligned with this joint vision and was in support of its long-standing institutional partnerships with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20), and its affiliated platform, the European Muslim Leaders' Majlis (EULEMA) to counter religious discrimination through inclusive, multilateral engagement.

KAICIID Reaffirms Dialogue as a Tool for Transformation.

Representing KAICIID at the opening plenary "Global Trends in Islamophobia: Challenges and Responses", the Acting Secretary General, Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro, delivered remarks on 

The Transformative Power of Dialogue: Combating Discrimination and Hate Speech.  In his speech, he emphasized KAICIID's position that hate speech and religious discrimination are global challenges requiring integrated, dialogue-based responses rooted in mutual respect and shared values. 

The rise of Islamophobia is not only a threat to one religious group, but also a direct challenge to democratic institutions, social cohesion, and our collective humanity, he stated.

His remarks drew from KAICIID's regional experiences in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Arab region, where dialogue has proven to be a resilient tool in countering incitement to violence, promoting understanding, and protecting religious diversity. ASG outlined four core lessons from its cooperation with KAICIID-led platforms, all of which work to counter hate speech and reshape public narratives through interreligious cooperation, particularly: Strengthening cooperation between religious leaders and policymakers, including through KAICIID's Network for Dialogue, and the European Policy Dialogue Forum; Building interfaith alliances, such as the Muslim-Jewish Leadership Council, and European Muslim Leaders Majlis (EULEMA), to address hate at its roots; Equipping religious leaders as first responders, highlighting grassroots interfaith action in response to crises in Europe; Empowering educators and media professionals through initiatives like the Dialogue Journalism Fellowship to shape inclusive public narratives.

These initiatives demonstrate how dialogue and interreligious cooperation can serve as an effective antidote to hate, fear, and division.

Spotlighting regional platforms: EULEMA.

A key highlight of KAICIID's impact in Europe is its work with EULEMA, the European Muslim Leaders' Majlis. Founded in 2018 and supported by KAICIID since its inception, EULEMA fosters intra-Muslim dialogue and strengthens engagement between Muslim leaders and European political institutions and civil society.

As a co-organizer of the conference, a platform supported by KAICIID's Europe Region Programme, is contributing to several sessions, including a closed EULEMA meeting on the second day of the event. The meeting focuses on the state of Islamophobia in Europe, featuring speakers from Belgium, Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Romania. KAICIID's engagement with EULEMA reflects its commitment to strengthening intra-Muslim dialogue and supporting regional responses to hate-fueled discrimination, especially at a time when intersectional prejudice, populist rhetoric, and religious stereotyping continue to threaten social trust across Europe.

One standout initiative of 2024 was EULEMA's organization of a Ramadan Iftar at the European Parliament, co-hosted by four Members of the European Parliament, including Vice President Antonella Sberna. The event embodied how faith and policy communities can come together to dismantle stigma and foster mutual understanding.

The urgency of this work is underscored by new findings from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Its recent report, Being Muslim in the EU, shows that one in two European Muslims experiences racism and discrimination in daily life a sharp increase since 2016. These realities make KAICIID's work with EULEMA essential to promoting a cohesive and inclusive Europe.

A Shared Future Rooted in Human Dignity.

In closing, the Acting Secretary General underscored the recent appointment of H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, KAICIID's long-standing partner, as the first UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. This appointment signals an important step towards elevating the fight against religious discrimination on the global agenda.

Enabling senior policymakers to engage meaningfully with religion—particularly with Islam—is essential for building social cohesion. Strong religious-secular coalitions are key to confronting anti-Muslim hatred. "Our shared future depends on our ability to work together across religions, cultures, and institutions, to ensure that dignity, not division, defines our global society," concluded the Acting Secretary General.

With Islamophobia gaining ground across digital and societal spheres, KAICIID's dialogue-based approach offers a model for transformation and a practical framework to counter discrimination and build more cohesive societies. In addition, the new global observatory platform and an international policy report on anti-Muslim discrimination.

Looking ahead, KAICIID will continue to invest in partnerships, capacity-building, and multifaith platforms to dismantle stigma, uphold the rights of religious minorities, and shape public discourse toward greater understanding.