'Islam and Media' conference held in Croatia

The conference was held Friday April 24 in Zagreb Islamic Center, where the opening speaker was Damir Buras, University of Zagreb president. “Our participation in the conference is fed by our interest to extend Islam-Croatia relations; we have the honor to announce establishment of Arabic Language Teaching as an independent course in Department of Philosophy of the University of Zagreb; the conference provides excellent opportunities to introduce the place and functions of the media in Islamic world to Croatian academic society,” said the president.

The next speaker was Rohollah Qaderi, director of Avicenna scientific and research institute in Sarajevo, who highlighted the role of religious leaders as a human medium, and elaborated on positions of the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran about an ongoing campaign strategies against two most important and current issues facing Islam, that is, domestic extremism and fanaticism, and foreign conspiracy of Islamophobia, waged by the ultra-neo-Colonialism; “It is hapless to see that some media in Islamic countries have failed in truly depicting Islam by featuring its true image; instead, they have been a mouthpiece, held toward the outer world, of the Takfirist groups in spreading violence and terror and pouring fuel to the sectarian fire and Islamophobia,” Qaderi addressed the opening ceremony.

“To this end, pulpits in the mosques have been historically an important medium still unaffected by the passage of times in terms of retaining its place and importance; they have gained a more pronounced role over times,” he added. “During the rule of classical colonialist hegemonies, they sought occupation of countries, and since the Second World War or after revival of colonialism under the name of ultra-neo-colonialism, the objectives totally changed to triumphing the hearts and minds through virtual colonialism embodied by the modern media,” Qaderi asserted.

Shimor Macic, the head of Religious Affairs of Croatian government, was the third speaker in the opening ceremony, who believed that the media had played a crucial role in reshaping individual and social conditions; “they change public opinions; the Croatian state, in line with the principle of freedom of religions and their recognition, have established private radio and TV to propagate religions including Islam in Croatian society; the conference provides a time for exchange of ideas and dialogue for better functionality of the media in Croatia,” he told the ceremony. “No opening in the public space would be possible unless we promote dialogue,” he added.

Berislav Šipuš, Minister of Culture in Croatian cabinet was the fourth to address the ceremony; “cooperation of the media with the government is a necessity for introducing social and religious change and evolution; such cooperation should be informed and inspired by a transparent conduct with the media,” he added.

The closing speaker was Croatian Mufti Dr. Aziz Hasanović, President of Meshihat of Islamic Community in Croatia; “for 99 years, Croatia has recognized Islam as a religion in its Constitution; and this year is the 30th anniversary of the opening of Islamic Center in Zagreb; without a good cooperation of Avicenna scientific and research institute in Sarajevo and University of Zagreb, holding this conference would not be a reality; I hope to see this level of coordination in future conferences,” he said, “we are pleased to see that this conference addresses an issue of grave importance for us,” he exclaimed.

The second day of the conference saw speeches by Iran’s Ambassador to Croatia Mohammad Ebrahim Taherianfard, who addressed ‘Islam the Religion of Peace;’ “holding such conferences and interfaith dialogues help remove much of the misconceptions about religions; we believe the current image of Islam depicted in the media is far from its true character,” said the ambassador.

Source: MEHR News Agency