Doha: The 11th Ramadan Dialogue Programme, ‘Wa Amenhum mein Khawf’ (Secure Them from Fear), concluded at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque, bringing together leading Islamic scholars and thinkers to address pressing issues affecting the Muslim world, particularly the need to counter misconceptions about Islam.
Tackling Islamophobia: Key Discussions
The closing session, moderated by Sheikh Moaz al-Qasimi, focused on strategies to combat Islamophobia and negative stereotypes spread through media and academia.
• Dr. Ibrahim al-Ansari, Dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University, emphasized the need for joint studies with prestigious Western institutions to investigate the roots of Islamophobia and establish academic chairs dedicated to countering misinformation about Islam.
• Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi, President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, highlighted the religious, economic, and ideological roots of Islamophobia, referencing Qur’anic verses that discuss the phenomenon.
• Dr. Bilal Baroudi, a Lebanese cleric, stressed that Muslim scholars must take the lead in dispelling ignorant interpretations that distort Islam’s true message.
• Dr. Issam al-Bashir, Vice-President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, criticized orientalist narratives that have historically misrepresented Islam, as well as Western double standards in addressing Muslim concerns on global platforms.
A Call to Action
The conference concluded with a unified call for academic, media, and diplomatic initiatives to correct the false image of Islam, urging international collaboration to foster a more accurate and balanced understanding of Islamic teachings (Extract from: .gulf-times.com)
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