Qatar is participating in the Second International Conference to Combat Discrimination Against Islam and Muslims, which opened on August 3 at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo. The event, held under the theme "Islamophobia: Concept and Practice in the Current Global Context," brings together government representatives, international and regional organizations, civil society groups, and youth to discuss strategies for addressing Islamophobia worldwide.
Representing Qatar are Dr. Yousef al-Siddiqi, a member of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), and Amna Abdulrahman al-Sulaiti from Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the Arab League. The two-day conference aims to explore various dimensions of combating discrimination, including the role of religious institutions and Islamic centers in promoting moderate religious discourse, as well as identifying best practices at the national, regional, and global levels to counter hate speech.
The agenda also includes discussions on the contribution of educational institutions in fostering tolerance and acceptance, alongside the involvement of civil society organizations in fighting discrimination against Islam and Muslims. Empowering young people to advance a culture of coexistence and mutual respect is another key focus of the conference.
A significant element of the event is the inaugural meeting of a permanent multilateral institutional platform designed to enhance coordination among regional and international bodies. This platform seeks to implement the conference’s recommendations by translating them into practical initiatives aimed at reducing hate speech and promoting dialogue and coexistence.
In remarks to Qatar News Agency, Dr. al-Siddiqi described the conference as an important opportunity to encourage dialogue, exchange perspectives, and promote a more accurate understanding of Islam and Muslims. He emphasized that rapid technological advancements and the prevalence of social media have turned the world into a global village, underscoring the necessity of conveying the authentic image of Islam, particularly to European audiences and other communities.
Dr. al-Siddiqi also highlighted the role of the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue in consistently organizing forums focused on interfaith engagement and evaluating experiences to promote mutual understanding. He affirmed Qatar’s dedication to advancing Islamic studies through a scientific and values-based approach.
This conference follows up on the recommendations made during the inaugural International Conference on Combating Islamophobia, organized jointly by the Arab League General Secretariat and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO). The ongoing collaboration aims to strengthen efforts to address Islamophobia on multiple fronts.