EULEMA chairman: Today’s event shows that Azerbaijan can be model in combating Islamophobia

During the second day of the international conference "Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas" held in Baku, Imam Yahya Pallavicini, Vice President of COREIS (Islamic Religious Community of Italy) and Chairman of EULEMA (European Muslim Leaders’ Majlis), emphasized Azerbaijan's role as a potential model in the fight against Islamophobia, according to Reportş

“I have visited Azerbaijan several times, and today’s event on combating Islamophobia demonstrates that the country can serve as an example in this field,” Pallavicini noted. “This is a place where double standards do not prevail.”

In his remarks, Pallavicini criticized the rise of Islamophobic sentiment in Europe, highlighting the misuse of political and social power to perpetuate discriminatory behavior. He pointed out the historical irony in such attitudes, stressing that the Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—all originated in the East and spread westward.

“The West’s recent tendency to reinterpret Judeo-Christian values in ways that marginalize Islam reflects a flawed and historically inaccurate understanding of the shared theological and cultural heritage between East and West,” he stated.

Pallavicini also noted that portraying Muslims as victims or discriminating against other religions is both inappropriate and counterproductive.