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Arab League chief warns of rising religious intolerance in Cairo forum address

Arab League chief warns of rising religious intolerance in Cairo forum address

Arab News08-07-2025
LONDON: Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League, called for wider efforts to combat Islamophobia during a speech at the International Conference on Combating Hatred against Islam in Cairo on Tuesday.
Aboul Gheit said that Islamophobia is a dangerous and growing issue that undermines the values of coexistence and mutual respect, the Kuwait News Agency reported.
He said that its root causes lie in incitement, a lack of understanding of Islamic values, and the false association of Islam with terrorism.
The Arab League chief also said that biased media coverage, which amplifies errors and promotes negative stereotypes, fuels extremist discourse and divides communities.
Aboul Gheit highlighted the role of traditional and digital media in fostering tolerance and diversity, and called for a comprehensive response involving governments, international organizations, and civil society, the KUNA added.
He highlighted the Arab League's earlier resolutions condemning religious intolerance.
The conference in Cairo brought together representatives from the Arab League; Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; Al-Azhar; Christian institutions; and numerous Arab states to discuss strategies for promoting dialogue, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
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