Tunisia's Foreign Minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti, participated in a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's contact group on Muslims in Europe, held on September 21, 2026, in New York. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the high-level 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a statement from the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nafti stressed the importance of enhancing international efforts to combat Islamophobia and discrimination.
During his intervention, Nafti highlighted that Muslim communities are an integral part of the social, economic, and cultural fabric of European societies. He emphasized that their ongoing contributions necessitate greater protection of their rights and promotion of their positive participation in their countries of residence. Nafti expressed Tunisia's concern over the persistence of hatred and attacks targeting Muslims, their symbols, and religious sanctities.
The Minister underscored the need to address populist and extremist rhetoric that uses issues of migration, identity, and religion to fuel discrimination and exclusion. This approach must be within the framework of respecting human rights and the rule of law. Nafti also emphasized that combating Islamophobia requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond legal and security aspects to address its intellectual, cultural, and social causes.
This comprehensive approach includes promoting intercultural dialogue, developing educational curricula, encouraging responsible media, and combating hate speech and misinformation, particularly in the digital space. Nafti highlighted the importance of dialogue between civilizations and cultures in promoting mutual understanding, coexistence, and international peace and security.
The Minister recalled Tunisia's organization of the International Tunis Conference on activating the role of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in supporting international peace and security on November 17, 2025. The conference emphasized the need to translate dialogue into concrete and tangible initiatives. Nafti renewed Tunisia's support for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's efforts to improve the conditions of Muslims in Europe.
The efforts aim to defend their legitimate rights, promote their positive integration, and enhance their active participation in their countries of residence. Nafti affirmed Tunisia's readiness to continue contributing to collective efforts to combat Islamophobia and consolidate the values of coexistence and mutual respect.
Key points
- Tunisia's Foreign Minister calls for a comprehensive approach to combat Islamophobia.
- Muslim communities are an integral part of European societies.
- Tunisia supports the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's efforts to improve the conditions of Muslims in Europe.
