Chief of Cabinet to the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Ambassador, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Doğan “Islamophobia is in the midst of a transformation. This transformation is both institutional and conceptual. The Islamophobia Observatory established within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is a crucial example of this institutional transformation”.

Hosted by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), the 4^th International Forum on Media and Islamophobia was held in Ankara.

Global and local aspects of Islamophobia were discussed at the forum held at ATO Congresium Convention and Exhibition Centre after the opening speeches.

In the session on “Islamophobia in its Local Aspects” moderated by Prof. Dr. Uğur Ünal, the Director of Directorate of State Archives of Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, the Chief of Cabinet to the Presidency, Ambassador, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Doğan stated that designation of 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia has raised an awareness.

Underlining the increase in Islamophobia in Europe in recent years, Doğan said: “Considering that 686 anti-Islamic crimes were committed in Germany and there is a 35 percent rate of attacks against mosques in the UK in 2023, it is evident that there is a serious hatred directed against a large mass”.

Stating that the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights' (FRA) identification of Islamophobia as discrimination against individuals of the religion of Islam is a noteworthy achievement, Doğan continued his speech as follows: “Islamophobia is in the midst of a transformation. This transformation is both institutional and conceptual. The Islamophobia Observatory established within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is a crucial example of this institutional transformation. Therefore, I believe that the progress made in terms of conceptual transformation cannot be underestimated”.

Stating that while all this occurred, radical parties with anti-Islamic discourses gained significant power in Europe, Doğan emphasised that Muslims should preserve their beliefs and identities and integrate with their societies. Expressing that Islamophobia is not a crime defined clearly and precisely as desired in legal systems, Doğan said “It may be beneficial to define Islamophobia and some similar concepts more precisely and clearly within our laws in order to raise awareness”.

Emphasising that the voice of Islam and the truth cannot be suppressed with shouting, rumble and noise, Doğan said "The religion of Islam and Muslim identity has been and will remain a sun that illuminates the world."

Prof. Dr. Muhittin Ataman, SETA Foundation Foreign Policy Senior Researcher, said that Islam is the only religion to which the word “phobia” is attached, while the Islamophobia is a racist concept.

Stating that a serious anti-Islamic sentiment was manifested in the Gaza events, Ataman stated that since 7 October, a major disinformation campaign has been mobilised against Palestinians and Hamas.

At Forum, Prof. Dr. Shener Bilalli from the International Balkan University (IBU) presented strategies to combat Islamophobia with a particular focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“There lies an emotional and psychological reason on the ground of Islamophobia”

The Ambassador of Palestine to Ankara Faed Khalid Abd Mustafa pointed out the massacre in Gaza and the issues addressed in the global media during this period in the session titled “Islamophobia in its Global Aspects” moderated by Deniz Güler, the Vice President of RTÜK.

Criticising the double-standard attitude of the World towards Palestine, Mustafa said: “The massacres that took place in front of eyes have destroyed everything in Gaza. One of the most important questions here is where the media stands. Western media portrays what happened as if it never happened or as the fault of Islam”.

Prof. Dr. Raymond Taras from Tulane University expressed that “while examining Islamophobia, the terms fear, mistrust, prejudice and anxiety need to be addressed in a total approach with the determining attitude of the media on society”.

Prof. Dr. İhsan Çapcıoğlu, Member of High Board of Religious Affairs, said “Islamophobia should be identified as a key issue area in the field of media. Subsequently, solutions should be offered for this problem. Besides, as you know, there are new platforms. In other words, digital platforms that are positioned instead of internet-based conventional media. Through TV series, films, documentaries and some content broadcasted on these platforms, attempts are made to regulate the perception on the agenda of the society”.