INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON

“BRI, CPEC and the Muslim World in the Global Media:
Rhetoric and Reality ”
15th to 17th August 2018


Organized By:
Department of Media and Communication Studies
Faculty of Social Sciences
International Islamic University Islamabad – Pakistan

In Collaboration With:
Higher Education Commission, Islamabad – Pakistan
Zhenghe International Peace Foundation (China)
CPEC Centre at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics

INTRODUCTION OF THE CONFERENCE
Media are important institutions that can play a significant role in forging friendly ties between nations. Owing to its immense potential, states around the world are focusing on devising innovative media strategies to create good image of themselves and serve their national interests. Due to the changing political and economic dynamics of the global order, China and the Muslim Word are inching towards each other. To make this partnership more constructive and beneficial, communication and cultural dialogue is necessary to sort many issues emanating from the emerging global scenario. The assumed China Threat is a composite concept including different aspects of Islamophobia, cultural invasion, economic hegemony and political subjugation. Since media are the carriers of information, this concept needs to be deconstructed through media and other social sciences approach to better understand the nuances of the close relationship between China and the Muslim World. The event will provide a platform to the experts from all over the Muslim World and China to have a healthy discussion and to get benefit from the opinions of each other. In this event, experts from the Muslim world and China will share work to better understand the role of media in inculcating islamophobic tendencies. Pakistan being at the center stage between China and Muslim world provides an excellent example how close relations can be forged despite cultural and ideological issues. The conference participants would explore ways and means to move forward and learn from the experiences of each other.
OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE
  1. To analyze critically the different dimensions of BRI and Islamophobic trends in the global media and identify best practices
  2. To provide a platform to the experts from all over the world to discuss and exchange ideas about countering Islamophobia
  3. To determine and analyze the psychological, cultural, and political aspects of Islamophobia
  4. To know and discuss the framing of BRI in the context of Foreign policy
  5. To discuss the BRI and Islam as mediated construct: Image and realities
CENTRAL IDEA & TOPICS OF THE CONFERENCE
  • Topic No. 1:  BRI: New World Order from Asia?

    1. Economic cooperation and cultural understanding: beyond CPEC
    2. The role of Pakistan in the Muslim world and in South-Central Asia and implications on China: history and reality
    3. The assumed China threat and its implication for the region

     Topic No. 2: Impact of BRI on economy, security and environment

    1. Economic implications of BRI
    2. Security dimensions of BRI
    3. Environmental implications of BRI

    Topic No. 3: BRI in the global media

    1. Media and Foreign policy: Utilizing media for promoting national interests
    2. Framing of BRI in the global media

    Topic No. 4: Understanding Islamophobia: Past and present

    1. Historical Foundations of Islamophobia
    2. Nature of Contemporary Islamophobia and its casualties
    3. Psychological, cultural, and political aspects of Islamophobia

    Topic No. 5: Islamophobia in the North America, Europe and Asia Pacific

    1. Politics of Islamophobia in the US
    2. The Islamic Threat in Modern Europe
    3. Professional Islamophobia

    Topic No. 6: BRI and Islam as mediated construct: Image and reality

    1. Media role in constructing Islamophobia in the West and Asia
    2. Framing of lslamophobia and China Threat: Challenges and Solutions
    3. Comparative analysis of Asian and Western media on the framing of China and Muslim World
VENUE
Faisal Masjid Campus, International Islamic University Islamabad – Pakistan
Contact

Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal
[email protected]
0092-51-9019520
            
Dr. Shabbir Hussain
[email protected]
+92-51-9019939

Muhammad Tariq Awan
[email protected]
+92-51-9019939

Note: University will arrange the boarding and lodgings of the presenters of research papers