International Dirasat Islamiyyah Conference: Ideology and Strategies to Overcome Islamophobia

FDI, UIN News Online – The term Islamophobia is no longer a foreign term. In fact, this phenomenon has become one of the attractions for many people, including world scholars who want to study more deeply about this phenomenon. As was the case with the Dirasat Islamiyah Faculty, on 27-28 September 2022 managed to hold the 8th international conference in collaboration with the Faculty of Islamic Da'wah, Al-Azhar University, Cairo.

This 8th International Conference raised the theme "Islamophobia Phenomenon: Ideology and Strategy" with the aim of providing understanding to students in particular and the world community in general regarding the phenomenon of Islamphobia and how to overcome it. This was stated by the dean of the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyah, Syairozi Dimyati Ilyas in his opening remarks, he said, “The purpose of this conference is to study and discuss the ideology contained in Islamophobia and strategies to deal with it,” said Syairozi.

The conference, which was held online through a zoom meeting, was not only attended by students of the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyah, but was also attended by many people from outside. This international seminar not only presented speakers from the UIN Jakarta academic community, but also invited several other speakers such as Jamal Faruq (Al-Azhar University, Cairo), Amani Abdussomad (Member of the Bureau of Secretary General of the Islamic Research Academy, Al-Azhar), Sa'id Abdul Lathif Fudah (Islamic world scholar), Wafiq Muhammad Hijazi (Lebanon), Kholif Mu'ammar Haris (University of Technology Malaysia), and Ali Munhanif (UIN Jakarta).

Sa'id Abdul Lathif Fudah suggested that we as Muslims can explain to the world the true portrait of Islam, namely rahmatan lil aalamiin.

At the end of the conference, a discussion room was opened for the participants, so that they could give their opinions and think freely to express all concerns and solutions for this Islamphobia. As stated by one of the lecturers of the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyah, Aep Saepullah.

According to Aep, Islamphobia arises because of ignorance or lack of knowledge about Islamic teachings, and the lack of morals of Muslims in Muslim minority countries. “So, one of the main tasks of a Muslim is to know all the factors that cause Islamophobia and overcome it  for the good of Muslims around the world,” he said. (fdi/zn/fl/ha/usa)