Associate Professor of Qatar University: Islamophobia is obstacle for civilizations to live in harmony

Islamophobia is an obstacle for civilizations to live in harmony, said Badrane Benlahcene, Research Associate Professor of Religion and Civilization Studies, Ibn Khaldon Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, Qatar University, Report informs.

He made the remark during his speech at the plenary session of the international conference themed “Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024” held in Baku.

Benlahcene points out that the issues of irrationality, insult, and discrimination are prevalent: “Collaborative efforts among religious leaders, policymakers, and scholars can address the current challenges. The widespread issue of Islamophobia has skewed public perception of Muslims by misrepresenting Islam. A distorted, barbaric, and exaggerated portrayal of Islam inflicts significant damage on the Muslim community, leading to a general state of crisis. The solution lies in multifaceted education, which has the potential to counteract Islamophobia in the future.”

Benlahcene emphasizes the need for an accurate representation of Islam globally and the importance of peaceful coexistence among civilizations: “Our world is interconnected through nations, each influencing the other like links in a chain. Positive outcomes in addressing these issues are attainable through dialogues fostered by education.”