Ilham Aliyev: Certain political circles in West promote anti-Islamic sentiments

Certain political circles in the West promote anti-Islamic sentiments, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in his address to the participants of the 20th Session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States, Olaylar informs.

The head of state noted that the crimes committed against the Islamic cultural heritage on Azerbaijani lands are undoubtedly a clear manifestation of Islamophobia.

"Today, the incitement of hatred against Muslims, the targeting of Islamic cultural heritage, and the insult to Islamic values have gained widespread momentum across the world. The burning of our Holy Book, the Quran, and the publication of caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) can in no way be justified under the pretext of freedom of expression and are completely unacceptable. Islamophobia is not merely intolerance towards Muslims; it is a dangerous trend that threatens mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. It is regrettable that certain political circles in the West, as well as international institutions such as the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, promote anti-Islamic sentiments, attempt to equate Islam with extremism and terrorism, create biased perceptions of our religion, and portray it as a source of threat," he said.