Abdelmadjid Najjar: Islam faces targeted discrimination

Islam is subject to deliberate discrimination both at the legislative level and within public consciousness, with media and social networks acting as powerful tools in this process, said Abdelmadjid Najjar, Vice-President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars in Qatar, according to Report.

"Modern media and social networks often distort Islam, shaping stereotypes and biased attitudes toward a religion that in reality preaches wisdom, justice, and peace," Najjar said during a panel discussion at the international conference “Islamophobia: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas” held in Baku, Report informs.

Najjar emphasized that a key cause of rising Islamophobia is the widespread lack of accurate knowledge about Islam. "Ignorance breeds fear and hatred. We observe that as misinformation spreads, so do prejudiced judgments and hostile actions against Muslims," he noted.

He also expressed concern that anti-Islamic sentiments are manifesting at the legislative level in some countries.

"In France, for example, there is a ban on wearing the hijab. This is an attempt to restrict fundamental human rights under the guise of neutrality. Moreover, such measures find support among certain segments of the population, reflecting deeply entrenched prejudices," Najjar highlighted.