Certain political circles in the West are attempting to foster a biased perception against the Islamic religion, according to President Ilham Aliyev.
As reported by the Operative Information Center-OMM, this statement was made in an address by President Ilham Aliyev to the participants of the 20th Session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, held in Baku on June 24.
The head of state emphasized that the crimes committed against Islamic cultural heritage on Azerbaijani lands are clear manifestations of Islamophobia. He stated: "Today, the incitement of hatred against Muslims, the targeting of Islamic cultural heritage, and the desecration of Islamic values have become widespread. The burning of our holy book, the Quran, and the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad cannot be justified under the guise of freedom of speech and are completely unacceptable."
President Ilham Aliyev further noted that Islamophobia is not merely intolerance toward Muslims, but a dangerous trend that threatens mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. He expressed concern that certain Western political circles and international institutions, such as the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, are promoting anti-Islamic sentiment, attempting to equate Islam with extremism and terrorism, and portraying the religion as a source of danger.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations, with 57 member states. It serves as the collective voice of the Muslim world, working to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim community while promoting international peace and harmony.
