The Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (IRD) of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) in collaboration with the Department of Media and Communication Studies and Department of Sociology IIUI of Faculty of Social Sciences, IIUI organized an International Seminar on “Combating Islamophobia: Challenges and the Way Forward for the Muslim World”. The seminar was held at Quaid-e-Azam Auditorium, Faisal Masjid Campus of the university.
Mufti Abdul, Minister for Religious Affairs, Islamabad was Chief Guest of the International Seminar. Addressing the participants of the seminar Mufti Abdul Shakoor said that the best way for the Muslim world to combat Islamophobia is to gain economic independence. The Minister for Religious Affairs further said that most of the Muslim nations are dependent economically either on the US, European Union, China or Russia. He added that in terms of education especially in the field of science and technology, the contribution of Muslim countries is practically non-existent. This is one of the major reasons for their lagging behind. Mufti Abdul Shakoor urged that developing nations must make advancement in science and technology to gain respect in this globalized world so that their voices are heard.
Panelists of the seminar included Professor Dr Khalid Masood, Renowned Scholar, Former Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology, Dr Sami Al-Arian, Director of the Centre for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA) at Istanbul Zaim University, Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, IIUI, Dr Noor Fatima, Department of Politics & IR, IIUI, Prof John L Esposito, Georgetown University Washington and Prof Junaid Ahmad, William and Mary College, Director, Centre for the Study of Islam and Decoloniality.
The panelists were of the opinion that specific elements are behind negative propagation of Islam and they disseminate misperceptions about it. Some of the groups that can play a critical role in combating islamophobia included well-intentioned Westerners, who knew that hatred breeds hatred; honest Western scholars, whose voices must be heard; and Muslims themselves, who must try to bridge the gap between Islam and the West. They suggested that the leaders of the Muslim world must design a strategy to combat Islamophobia.
The academic and scholarly circles of the Muslim world should also explore its roots from epistemological and historical perspectives, outlining the political and cultural factors contributing to its rise and then recommend strategies to combat it.
The seminar was also attended by faculty members and a large number of male and female students from the Faculty of Social Sciences Media and Politics & International Relations Departments.