As part of the international conference titled “Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas”, a panel discussion on “Women, Identity and Stereotypes: Navigating the Intersection of Religion and Cultural Prejudices” was held in Baku.

Moderated by Aisha Yousef Al-Mannai, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, the session explored how prejudiced perceptions of women—especially those shaped by religion and culture—emerge, persist, and most importantly, how they can be effectively challenged.

Among the distinguished speakers were Esma Uçan, President of the Muslim Council of Belgium; Gulshan Pashayeva, Member of the Milli Majlis; Bahija Jamal, Professor at Hassan II University and UN Expert on Counter-Terrorism and Extremism; and Naïma Lefkir-Laffitte, a French journalist and documentary filmmaker.

The session featured engaging discussions and heated debates, reflecting the urgency and complexity of the topic.