AZERBAIJAN: Seminar takes media to task over portrayal of Islam

Organization of the Islamic Conference meeting questions double standards of the western media

The Jakarta Post
Saturday, April 28, 2007

By Veeramalla Anjaiah

Baku --- Experts have called on the media to avoid labeling and connecting Islam to fascism and terrorism, saying this only undermines global efforts in promoting the universal values of tolerance, justice and equality.

Japanese scholar Masanori Naito from Hitotsubashi University warned non-Muslims of their arrogance and aggressive attitude toward Muslims.

"I am asking non-Muslims to not be ignorant and aggressive toward Muslims. Both modernization and democratization were developed and burgeoned in the West," Naito said Friday in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, during a seminar on the role of media in the development of tolerance and mutual understanding.

"Muslims have their own version of modernization and democratization. They are universal values, not property of the West," he said.

Seminar participants, which include more than 180 scholars, journalists, government officials, NGOs and representatives of international organizations, questioned the double standards of the western media regarding Muslims and Islam.

"It has become somewhat of a trend. Leaders use the term fascism to describe the actions of a minority group of Muslims. Increasingly, the media has been using labels when reporting terrorist acts," Abdulaziz Bin Salamah, Saudi Arabia's deputy minister of culture and information, told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

"We often see terms such as 'Islamic terrorists' used in the media. Yet, we have never seen these terms used to describe Christian terrorists, such as for the ETA in Spain or the Irish Republican Army guerrillas."

The host, Azerbaijan's foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov, made it clear that Islam should not be identified with terrorism.

"Terrorism has neither religious affiliation nor nationality. We should use all available means to address this menace," Mammadyarov said.

Participants suggested that the existing syllabi in journalism schools and colleges should be revised with a focus on promoting tolerance and mutual understanding among the students.

Meanwhile, UNESCO's deputy assistant director-general Mogens Schmidt called on countries to promote universal values like tolerance and mutual understanding through education, to beat the evils of ignorance and hate.

"Education is one of the most powerful tools for conquering the evils of ignorance and hate, and in promoting the values of tolerance, justice and equality," Schmidt said.

"Through quality education we can develop a better understanding of other cultures, and learn to respect and appreciate cultural and religious differences."

According to Schmidt, UNESCO is working to promote quality education by reviewing education curriculum and re-training teachers, so that all elements of human development, including values, knowledge, attitudes, skills and the capacity for peaceful resolution of conflicts can be achieved.

Date Posted: 4/28/2007