Gunduz Ismayilov: Situation with Islamophobia in world worsens

Currently, the situation with Islamophobia is worsening in the world, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee of Azerbaijan for Work with Religious Organizations Gunduz Ismayilov said at the “Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024” international conference in Baku, Report informs.

In his opinion, in some European countries, Islamophobia does not spread from bottom to top, but vice versa: “For example, in France in 2019 there were more cases of discrimination against Muslims in state-owned enterprises than in the private sector. There are specific statistical data on France and other European countries.”

When it comes to mosque construction, there are 2,500 mosques in France, many of which consist of only one room. Moreover, Muslims make up 10% of the country's population. And the French government perceives external support as Islamization.

Ismayilov added that more than 60% of young people who apply for education at private educational institutions are rejected, as a result, in some European countries, Muslims tend not to demonstrate their religious beliefs.

“In France, religious education is taught only in private institutions. Muslim religious communities have difficulty obtaining government benefits for their educational institutions,” he noted, adding that in several European countries, especially in France, the unemployment rate among Muslims is extremely high.

According to the deputy chairman, Muslim women face the most discriminatory treatment.