By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Arab League has renewed its call for stronger efforts to tackle discrimination against Muslims, as new figures show a rise in reported racial discrimination among Muslim communities in parts of Europe.

The issue was at the centre of the Second International Conference to Combat Discrimination Against Islam and Muslims, held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The two-day conference, organised by the Arab League and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), brought together government officials, international organisations, religious leaders, civil society groups and young people.

Participants called for stronger cooperation between countries and institutions to turn recommendations on Islamophobia into practical programmes that promote dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Arab League Assistant Secretary-General for Oversight Affairs, Ambassador Hussein Hindawi, said freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental right protected by international conventions.

He said Islamophobia had grown from isolated incidents into a wider social and political challenge.

Hindawi cited European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights data showing that 47 per cent of Muslims surveyed in 13 EU member states reported racial discrimination in 2024, compared with 39 per cent in 2016.

He said 39 per cent experienced discrimination when seeking employment, while 27 per cent faced racist harassment and four per cent suffered physical attacks. Only six per cent of those who experienced such incidents reported them to the authorities.

According to Hindawi, stereotypes that link Muslims with terrorism, crime and irregular migration are among the factors driving hostility against Muslim communities.

He urged governments, religious bodies, educational institutions, the media and civil society to work together to challenge hate speech and discrimination.

A major outcome of the conference was the launch of the Permanent Multilateral Institutional Platform to Combat Discrimination Against Islam and Muslims.

The platform is expected to improve international coordination and help turn earlier recommendations into practical measures.

The participants also discussed how education, religious institutions, civil society organisations and young people can help promote tolerance and mutual respect.