The Open Society Foundation in Slovakia launched their SISUMMA programme of activites on the 14th October with an international conference on challenges and barriers faced by Muslims in Europe. “Muslims are: …: challenging stereotypes, changing perceptions” took place in Bratislava and was intended for university students, civil society, experts and media.

The event brought together both representatives of the Muslim communities and experts from Slovakia and abroad in order to share their experience and knowledge. It was a very enriching exchange of views and experience.

The conference focused on Muslim identities through time and was organized around three major themes:

  1. Historical perspectives: is Islam so remote from European culture?
  2. Life of a minority: Muslims in contemporary Europe
  3. Best practices: how can anti-Muslim attitudes be countered?

Each panel was followed by discussion.