Moot discusses Islamophobia, China and Muslim world

Mass media termed connecting force for people from east and west

A three day international conference on “BRI, CPEC and the Global Media: Rhetoric and reality” commenced at Faisal Masjid campus of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

The moot discussed Islamophobia, China and Muslim world relations, fruits of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and preparation for the corridor in future.

CPEC is not confined to economic uplift and prosperity, it also includes environmental aspects and it will further deepen the bilateral cultural cooperation and bond on both sides, said International Peace Foundation CEO Dr Haiyun MA during his speech.



He added that it will shorten the gaps between various regions and will bring opportunities for preparing skilled human resource. He also foresighted that it will be a good imitative for China Muslim world relation through Pakistan

IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai termed CPEC as a “win-win venture” for both nations saying that it will produce best human resource and believed that youth was the guarantee of success of this project.

He urged that nations must remove the history of hatred and stressed to promote peace. Talking about the Islamophobia he said Islam was misunderstood in most of the regions of the world and emphasized on media to portray its true image. “Islam is all about hugging not pushing, it calls for humanity and peace and discourages violence,” he continued.

Dr Yasinzai maintained that Pakistan will be prove to be a window to Muslim world for China. He also called for bilateral programmes of universities to address issues relevant to the society.

IIUI President Dr Ahmed Yousif Al Draiweesh said BRI and CPEC would help connect the east and the west through mutual economic cooperation.

He added that unlike many other development and technological initiatives in the world, BRI and CPEC are two-way in nature – from south (developing world) to north (developed world).

Al Draiweesh said mass media can play an important role in connecting people from east and west through these development projects.  He opined that differences in culture and religion are dividing people on planet earth and resulting in clash of ideologies and civilizations. Media by projecting developmental activities can bridge the gaps in culture and religion. He hoped that the CPEC will also raise the educational standards in the country through literal cooperation.



IIUI Social Sciences Dean Dr Samina Malik highlighted the issue of Islamophobia, while she hoped that conference will produce best recommendations on CPEC utilization.

Earlier, Media and Communication Studies Chairman Dr Zafar Iqbal said that media was having a pivotal role in both positive social attributes and steering the anti-social activities including extremism. “Media must be activated to overcome the problem of terrorism,” he suggested. Dr Iqbal said that cultural and ideological differences were not important in the prevailing global situation but it was all about utilising the sources and resources. “The conference will explore Chinese efforts to turn difference parts of the globe into economic hubs and role of media in furthering this emprise,” said Dr Iqbal while speaking on objectives of the conference.

He continued that conference will mainly focus on negative portrayal of BRI and CPEC, use of media for removing trust deficit in terms of CPEC developments, to minimise the impending clash of civilizations and promote peace and harmony through Islam’s true message of peace.

Conference in rest of the two days will discuss important topics such as New World Order from Asia, impact of BRI on economy, security and environment, BRI in the global media, understanding Islamophobia: Past and present and BRI and Islam as mediated construct: Image and reality, while it will conclude on Friday.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2018.