Countering Islamophobia - A Seminar at the Muslim Council of Elders’ Pavilion at the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair
The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair hosted a seminar titled “Countering Islamophobia in Europe: An Analytical Perspective,” presented by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Hokama Center for Peace Research.
During the seminar, Dr. Boudinar provided an analytical review of the book 'Countering Islamophobia in Europe', a translated publications by Al Hokama Publishing. He emphasized that Islamophobia involves deliberate and intentional fearmongering against Islam, relying on distorted fragments and employing fabricated hate speech based on promoting falsehoods, which restricts Muslims’ ability to express their true identity.
The Director of the Hokama Center for Peace Research added that several strategies can be adopted to counter this phenomenon, including legal action, precise knowledge, and continuous monitoring of incidents at places of worship and elsewhere, as well as tracking biased media narratives and addressing them by debunking perceptions of an “Islamic threat” within their proper context.
Dr. Boudinar called for a clear action plan by religious and relevant institutions to present the true image of Islam and its lofty human values, which emphasize dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. He affirmed that the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, is making concerted efforts to combat this dangerous phenomenon, reduce its spread, and promote values of full citizenship and positive integration for Muslims in their societies.
The Muslim Council of Elders is participating for the fourth consecutive year at the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair, held from August 9 to 17, 2025, as part of its efforts to foster a culture of dialogue and reinforce values of coexistence and peace worldwide.
