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Debate on Islam, media and public opinion held at UNESCO
On Friday, 1 July, a one-day day debate was held at UNESCO on the subject of Islam, media and public opinion. The event was organized by the Islam and Laicism Commission in France, the French League for Human Rights, the Ligue de lEnseignement and Le Monde Diplomatique, in cooperation with UNESCO and the French National Commission for UNESCO.
Within the current context in France and recent events in several other countries that have affected the image of Islam, one of the worlds major religions, the workshop attempted to de-construct the myth and theory about a clash of civilizations. Prominent speakers from France, the United Kingdom and the United States analysed and examined the image of Islam as a religion and social phenomenon in those countries, as well as in the Netherlands and other countries in Europe and North America.
Over 150 participants representing the academic world, the media and civil society participated in the debate from which it became clear that any difficulties that may be seen concerning the place of Islam in western society is clearly one of perception and, by no means a reality related to the religion itself or to its practice.
A call was made by all participants for more tolerance and openness in dealing with different cultures, religions and sociocultural backgrounds.
Source: UNESCO Webworld.
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