An international conference was held at Georgetown University on September 30-October 1 with the theme "History and Global Practices of Hostility to Islam".
In addition to Georgetown University faculty members, academics, journalists, artists and students of the university, including sociologist Yasin Aktay, attended the conference.
Focusing on various global, historical, religious and political factors that caused the phenomenon of anti-Muslim sentiment to spread around the world, participants emphasized the importance of research, dialogue, collaboration and cooperation to eliminate practices of hatred, prejudice and discrimination.
Speaking at the closing of the conference, Georgetown University Dean Safwan al-Masry said that Qatar is leading global initiatives to confront racism in all its forms and manifestations.
Masry noted that training, awareness raising, dialogue, policy development and organizing meetings that bring together experts and policy makers can be given as examples of the work carried out in this field.
The conference was held to draw attention to hostility towards Islam, to confront its destructive effects and to support the efforts of activists, educators and intellectuals.
Speaking at the discussion session where the intellectual roots of the problem were discussed, Leeds University Rhetoric and Anti-Colonial Thought Professor Salman Sayyed noted that anti-Muslim sentiment is based on the idea that it is not possible to "integrate Muslims into societies".
"Although hostility towards Islam is a form of racist government targeting the Islamic faith, it is not necessary for a person to be a Muslim to be subjected to hostility towards Islam, it is sufficient for him to be close to Muslims or to be seen as a Muslim," Sayyed said.
John Esposito, professor of religion, international relations and Islamic studies at Georgetown University and founding director of the Prince al-Waleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Reconciliation and Bridge Initiative.
"Hostility towards Islam is not a phenomenon that will disappear soon, on the contrary, it is getting worse," Esposito said.