Cultural Diplomacy Discussed in Combating Against Islamophobia
The "2nd International Forum on Media and Islamophobia" organised by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), Presidency of Religious Affairs, Erciyes University and Ankara Science University and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Presidential Communications Directorate was held at ATO Congresium.
Ambassador Dr. İsmail Hakkı Musa, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş and Diplomacy Foundation Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan Bilgin were the speakers and the issue of Cultural Diplomacy in Combating Islamophobia was discussed.
Emphasising that cultural diplomacy is extremely important in the fight against Islamophobia, Prof. Dr. Birol Akgün emphasised that in the last 30 years, the foundations of civilisation and culture in the international system have been built on polarisation and explanations based on these as the theoretical framework of political analysis have become effective. Referring to Samuel Huntington's Clash of Civilisations thesis, Akgün stated that a world in which everything related to Islam and Muslims is otherised has been created with reference to this theory. Referring to the fact that Muslim communities live in non-Muslim countries more than ever in history, Prof. Dr. Akgün said, "The fight against Islamophobia is a critical issue. In fact, they are politicised in culture. When left on their own, they can find a common living space. they can get along in peace. We live in a society where Muslims are marginalised. "More Muslims live in non-Muslim areas than ever before in history. The basis of polarisation starts from here. The Western world is ambivalent in implementing universal values such as human rights.
Diplomacy Foundation Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan Bilgin said that the concept of Islamophobia has rapidly increased in recent years and has become popular in the world.
Underlining that the main reason underlying Islamophobia is a cultural propaganda, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş said: "Islamophobia is not an attack coming from Europe. Westerners were interested in culture, not religion. The main issue is to reach the ability to distinguish this propaganda".