Doha, 30 Sept 2023

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) inaugurated a two-day conference titled ‘Global Histories and Practices of Islamophobia’ with a resolute message of solidarity in the global battle against Islamophobia and various forms of discrimination, bigotry, and racism.

In response to the escalating global concerns surrounding the surge in anti-Muslim bias and hate-related incidents, the conference is delving into the examination of Islamophobia and its pervasive discourse across political, social, educational, and other contexts.

During the opening keynote speech, former South African envoy and Founder of ‘World for All Foundation’, Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, conveyed a powerful message: ‘We create ‘isms’ and phobias for every difference, dressing it up as an anxiety of the unknown, activating the surveillance state, sophisticating punishments at every event, and perfecting the policies of immigration, as if they are normal laws that we need to implement. All of those things have morphed into what today can only be described as mainstream extremism.” He emphasized that labeling it as a fear or phobia places a double burden on the victim—to survive discrimination and to prove that they are not so fearful.

Ambassador Rasool highlighted the contemporary situation, noting that the ‘Muslim other’ in today’s world receives special treatment, as almost 10% of every Western country is composed of this ‘other’. He asserted that Islamophobia is no longer confined to the West; it has taken root in places like India, China, Myanmar, and beyond, where Muslim minorities face populism and mainstream extremisms.

Drawing lessons from South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, Ambassador Rasool underscored the need for solidarity in the fight against all forms of bigotry, urging a unity that transcends religion, race, and ethnicity to find common cause.

In response to queries about the role of diplomacy and sport in addressing Islamophobia, Ambassador Rasool highlighted the effectiveness of public diplomacy, exemplified by Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022, in combating anti-Islamic sentiment.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Arian, Associate Professor of History at GU-Q and a conference co-organizer, delivered welcoming remarks, stating, ‘Islamophobia continues to exhibit disturbing and destructive features that are both globalized, increasingly universalized, and deeply rooted in local beliefs and practices emerging from particular historical and lived experiences’. The conference aims to unravel these seemingly contradictory features, examine their impacts globally, and consider remedies to tackle the challenge across multiple spheres.

The conference, extending until Sunday, October 1, features leading scholars exploring contemporary Islamophobic practices and their global connections. Alongside sessions, public workshops and a GUQ student-led forum will address appropriate responses to counter the spread of Islamophobia on university campuses.

On the second day of the conference at Hotel Four Seasons Doha, three panel discussions will take place: 1) Constructing the Narrative: Islamophobia and the media, moderated by Jamal Elshayyal of AlJazeera Network; 2) Qatar, the World Cup, and Islamophobia chaired by Danyel Reiche of Georgetown University, Qatar Campus; and 3) Islamophobia and the Global War on Terror, chaired by Nadya Sbaiti.

The conference will conclude with a Closing Roundtable Discussion and Closing remarks by Dr. Safwan Masri, Dean, Georgetown University, Qatar Campus.