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More than 200 individuals, with insights from a dozen experts and activists, analyze the global landscape of Islamophobia, the role of journalism, and innovative civil initiatives to combat this type of racism that has surged worldwide
For the first time, a debate is held on the role of journalism in curbing Islamophobia, with the participation of the directors of the main Valencian media outlets.
The outbreak of violence in Palestine has led to a surge in Islamophobic incidents and racist attacks against the Muslim community worldwide.
VIDEO | Summary of the II Congress Against Islamophobia in the Valencian Community.
'More than 200 individuals, including about fifteen experts and anti-racist activists from across Spain, participated in the second edition of the Congress Against Islamophobia in the Valencian Community. The event, held under the theme 'Understand, Inform, Act, and Esteem,' took place at the Centre del Carme de Cultura Contemporánea in Valencia. Organized by Jovesólides and Casa Marruecos, the congress serves as a platform to highlight Islamophobia as one of the main forms of racial discrimination faced by Muslim individuals in Spain and around the world.
During the opening, the co-director of the congress, Boutaina El Hadri, advocated for 'comprehensive solutions at the local and global levels to eradicate this scourge that jeopardizes the stability of society as a whole.' She emphasized the interconnected nature of the problem and the solution, stating that events in Palestine have repercussions in Valencia, Paris, London, or the United States, and addressing it depends on each individual. Expressing concern about the rise of extreme anti-Islamic political movements in European governments, El Hadri underscored the fundamental importance of esteem as the 'only path capable of rebuilding intercultural and coexistence bridges that some are determined to dismantle.'
Alliances to Understand, Inform, and Act Against Islamophobia
The first panel of the Congress focused on the international situation, with a special look at the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Moderated by Lourdes Mirón, president of Jovesólides, Mousa Bourekba, a researcher at CIDOB; Alba Leiva, a political analyst for El Orden Mundial; and Mohamed El Mouden, a professor of Arab and Islamic studies at the University of Cádiz, examined the state of Islamophobia worldwide.
The first panel of the Congress Against Islamophobia reviewed the global landscape of Islamophobia.
The Congress also brought together the directors of the main Valencian media outlets who, for the first time, discussed the role of journalism in combating xenophobic and Islamophobic discourse. This came after learning that 60% of articles related to Islam and Muslim communities in Spain reproduce generalizations, stereotypes, and stigmatizing discourse, especially towards women. Moderated by Gonzalo Fanjul, Director of Research at the Por Causa Foundation, the discussion included the participation of Javier Alfonso, Director of Valencia Plaza; Julián Giménez, Director of Content for Cadena SER in the Valencian Community; Adolf Beltrán, Editor of ElDiario.es; Okba Mohamed, Founder of Revista Baynana; and Pau Ivars, Society Coordinator at À Punt Notícies.
For the first time, a debate on the role of journalism in curbing Islamophobia took place, featuring the participation of directors from the main Valencian media outlets.
The third panel of the Congress Against Islamophobia presented innovative civil initiatives to combat this type of racism.
An Epidemic of Hate According to the UN
Islamophobia is the most prevalent form of racism affecting the Muslim population across Europe and the fastest-growing hate crime on the continent in recent years. The genocide in Gaza and the outbreak of violence in Palestine have led to a surge in Islamophobic incidents worldwide, making the phenomenon visible on a large scale for the first time.
The UN now speaks of a 'hate epidemic' against the Islamic community. In Spain, hate crimes have increased by 41% in the last five years. Despite this, Islamophobia is not yet classified as a hate crime in Spain.
The II Congress Against Islamophobia is a project for education in development and global citizenship funded by the Second Vice Presidency and the Department of Social Services, Equality, and Housing, the Spanish Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation (REFAL), and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMED). You can follow all updates on social media using the hashtag #MaiMésIslamofòbia.
