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Islamophobia: Overcoming Myths and Engaging in a Better Conversation

Opening Remarks By:

Ms. Vuslat Doğan Sabancı
Vice President
Aydın Doğan Foundation
Publisher
Hürriyet

Featuring:
Karen Armstrong
Author and Commentator on Comparative Religion

Dr. Mehmet Aydin
Former Turkish Minister of State

Vali Nasr
Dean, School of Advanced International Studies
Johns Hopkins University

Zainab Salbi
Host of Zainab Salbi Project
HuffPost Originals

Moderated by:
Frederick Kempe
President and CEO
Atlantic Council

Islamophobia is on the rise in non-Muslim-majority countries. It is worse today than it was in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, with no signs of improvement. Following the recent spate of global terrorist attacks, Muslims are increasingly portrayed negatively by the media. Furthermore, some US politicians and their European counterparts have proposed an array of policies – from policing Muslim communities to controlling the flow of refugees and migrants from the Middle East.

The role of national policy on civil rights protections is vital and now more important than ever before.

Join us on October 20 for a public discussion at the Atlantic Council, convened in anticipation of the Smithsonian's opening of its international exhibition, "The Art of the Quran."

Our distinguished group of panelists will address issues, including the media's influence on shaping public perceptions of Islam and Muslims; the role policymakers can and should play in bridging the gap between Muslim and non-Muslim communities; and the role art and cultural institutions can play in shifting the narrative to a more inclusive and productive discussion.

We hope to create a forward-looking conversation on how attitudes, particularly negative ones, are triggers for homegrown unrest and how national civil rights policy can contribute to a more constructive dialogue.