Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday hosted an impactful workshop titled ‘Addressing Challenges: Framing Policies to Combat Islamophobia’.
The workshop brought together renowned experts on Islamophobia from universities, research institutions and governments across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the United States, Europe and Asia with the aim to shed light on the phenomenon of Islamophobia and the various challenges it poses to societies worldwide.
The workshop, which also aimed to establish a comprehensive policy framework that effectively addresses these challenges, featured multiple sessions, each covering a range of topics related to Islamophobia and its impact on communities.
The workshop commenced with an opening address by HE Dr Khaled Al Khatir, director of Policy Planning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who provided an overview of the workshop’s objectives and stressed the importance of combating Islamophobia.
Professor Beverly Milton-Edwards, policy planning advisor at the ministry, delivered an insightful introduction, contextualising the workshop’s theme.
Talking to Qatar Tribune, Dr Mohammed Al-Zuabi, a professor of theology, emphasised the need to address Islamophobia as it poses a real threat to peaceful coexistence and social stability.
“The international community should collaborate comprehensively to combat this phenomenon by developing strong and effective policies that aim to enhance cultural communication and provide comprehensive education about Islam and Muslims,” he said. “Additionally, governments and academic institutions should work towards creating a safe and equal environment for everyone, ensuring the rights of Muslims and protecting them from discriminatory acts and hate-based violence.”
Dr Sanaa Dibbes, a researcher in social sciences and Islamic studies, said, “Islamophobia is a phenomenon rooted in a lack of accurate knowledge about Islam, its history and its values. The international community must strive to eliminate preconceived notions and negative biases associated with this phenomenon. This can be achieved through education, awareness and promoting constructive dialogue among cultures and religions.”
She added, “Moreover, governments and official institutions should establish clear and effective policies to combat Islamophobia and hold perpetrators of hatred and discrimination accountable.”
Layla Mohammed Al Hanini, a human rights activist and member of the Arab Women’s Organization, said: “Muslim women must play an active role in combating Islamophobia and promoting values of tolerance and respect in societies. Muslim women should have access to education, social empowerment and economic opportunities, enabling them to stand alongside men in society and participate in important decision-making processes.”
“The rights of women should be strengthened and protected from discrimination and hate-based violence, while ensuring fair development opportunities for them in communities affected by Islamophobia,” she added.
Throughout the sessions, participants engaged in in-depth analysis, knowledge exchange and the sharing of experiences regarding this critical issue.
In the first session, distinguished speakers, including Professor John Esposito, Professor Sule Takahashi, Dalia Mogahed, Sadik Sheikh and Dr Sean Roberts examined institutional and structural manifestations of Islamophobia, identifying pressing challenges and proposing strategies for addressing them.
The speakers underlined the complex and evolving nature of these challenges, stressing the need for policymakers to prioritise efforts that foster tolerance and respect within their communities.
Dr Sean Roberts, a distinguished speaker in the session, stressed the importance of addressing Islamophobia at an institutional and structural level and encouraged the exploration of effective strategies to combat it. He underscored the necessity of collaborative efforts in identifying priorities and developing policies that drive positive change.
The second session focused on the use of hate narratives and the challenges they present. Dr Tufyal Choudhury, Khalid Bedoun, Jennifer Tredgold, Professor Ines Peraica and Linda Noor, among other participants, engaged in discussions regarding effective policies to counteract hate narratives and the associated challenges.
The third session explored the role of misleading media and information in propagating and reinforcing Islamophobia.Dr Sabra Harras, Arslan Iftikhar, Mombasra Tazamal, Dr Navid B. Kapasi, and Dr Nayef Al Shammari shared insights on strategies for media literacy and combating misleading and anti-Islamic information.
The workshop concluded with a comprehensive review of the discussed topics and the identification of priority areas for future policies.
Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater delivered a closing statement emphasising the critical need to adopt necessary policies and directions to combat Islamophobia effectively.
