As anti-Muslim sentiment escalates globally, experts assert that this form of racism threatens democracy and human rights, transcending religion. At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, leaders called for immediate global action against this surge in Islamophobia, highlighting it as a growing crisis.
Evren Dagdelen Akgun, OSCE’s Special Representative, stressed the alarming reality where one in two Muslims face daily discrimination in Europe. “Anti-Muslim hatred is real, and by whatever name we call it, it is a form of racism,” she warned, linking this issue to the erosion of democratic values.
Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci from the OIC described modern racism as insidiously embedded within our societal frameworks, noting a sharp rise in anti-Muslim incidents—9,000 complaints in the US alone in 2024, the highest in decades. He condemned media outlets that normalise hate, saying, “Anti-Muslim racism is not just a Muslim issue; it is a human rights issue.”
Marion Lalisse of the European Commission echoed these sentiments, stressing that racism extends beyond Muslims, targeting various ethnic minorities. She highlighted the critical need to address both structural and interpersonal discrimination and the challenge of balancing anti-discrimination efforts with national sovereignty in the EU.
Salman Sayyid, an academic from the University of Leeds, argued that Islamophobia is a universal issue rather than a Western phenomenon, forming part of a broader societal challenge. He emphasised that racism can thrive within liberal democracies, which need to actively cultivate anti-racist frameworks.
Sener Akturk from Koc University pointed to the systemic roots of Islamophobia, underscoring the underrepresentation of Muslims in politics across Europe, culminating in a stark need for equal rights and representation. He called for a discourse shift, focusing on dignity for all rather than ancestry.
The necessity of multiculturalism to combat racism and foster inclusivity was a common thread among panellists, with Akgun asserting that it is essential for creating cohesive societies. The Antalya forum provided a vision for battling anti-Muslim sentiment by advocating for accountability, inclusivity, and multiculturalism as societal strengths.
Experts at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum warned that anti-Muslim hatred is spreading globally, posing a significant threat to democracy and human rights. They called for immediate action to address this growing crisis, highlighting alarming statistics of discrimination against Muslims in Europe and beyond. The conversation centered around the need for multiculturalism, accountability in media narratives, and equal representation in politics to combat racism in all its forms.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum highlighted the urgent need for global awareness and action against anti-Muslim hatred, which experts warn is a pervasive form of racism undermining democratic foundations. With rising incidents worldwide, the call for inclusivity, representation, and multiculturalism emerged as critical strategies in countering these discriminatory trends. Ultimately, the fight against Islamophobia is framed as a broader struggle for human rights impacting all marginalized communities.
Original Source: trt.global
