As if “Islamophobia” is created ex nihilo, or from the febrile imaginations of hatemongers. Why aren’t there any international conferences to discuss rising levels of Buddhismophobia and distorted images of Buddhism? Why is it only Islam that seems to have this problem? Of course, some groups really are the victims of irrational prejudices, but in this case that is an unproven assumption — and the one thing we can be virtually certain will not happen at this Cairo conference is an honest self-examination. No one will confront the fact that Islam has doctrines mandating warfare against unbelievers, and that Muslims worldwide are acting upon those doctrines today. If those Muslims are mentioned at all at this conference, it will be to claim, with no explanation or justification whatsoever, that they are twisting Islam.
From IslamOnline, with thanks to Twostellas:
CAIRO, January 28 (IslamOnline.net) — In an effort to confront rising Islamophobia worldwide, Cairo is to host a conference on the humanity of Islam and how to clear distorted images of the religion.
The conference, slated for April 17, is to be attended by a cohort of Islamic affairs and waqfs (religious endowment) ministers, muftis and representatives of Muslim and international organizations.
Muslim and western scholars from 80 countries would show up for the event, under the title, “Humanity of Islamic Civilization” and organized by the Higher Council on Islamic Affairs in Egypt.
The main purpose of the gathering is to highlight the Islamic values and civilization in order to stand up to the ferocious international campaign against Muslims, said Egyptian Waqfs Minister Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouq Thursday, January 27.
The title reflects two main calls, the first for Muslims to abide by the true values of their religion and the second for the world to reverse attitudes towards Islam, he said.
Four Pivots
The conference is to touch on four pivots during the four day of discussions, according to Zaqzouq.
The first is “Islam’s stance on the other”, as well as principles of equality and multiplicity in the religion.
The second is Islam’s relation to other civilizations. Claims on clash of civilizations, along with the influence of Islam on western civilizations, will be tackled by the participants.
The humanity of Islam, abhorrence of hatred and racism, respect for prophets, in addition to the world’s need to highlight Islamic values would make up the third pivot.
The fourth probes Islam’s views on woman, discusses the honoring of women by Islam, legal personality of women, marriage contracts and political role, in addition to inheritance, testimony and polygamy issues.