ISESCO holds international colloquy on image of Islam in western media

The Islamic Educational, scientific and cultural organization (ISESCO/based in Rabat) is holding in Rabat this January 9-10 an international colloquy to study means to correct the image of Islam in the western media.

The conference is bringing together intellectuals and media professionals from Arab, Islamic and Western countries (USA, Britain and France). Discussions are focusing on the way western media view Islamic religion and civilization, the issue of neutrality in media reports and how political stances impact information wording.

Director General of the organization, an offshoot of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said at the opening session the Islamic world, its creed, culture and civilization are today targeted by a campaign of lies and falsifications staged by several western media, in total disregard for standards of objectivity and honesty. These media, he deplored, are using all means to instill the Islamo-phobia.

Saudi higher education minister, Khalid Mohamed Lankari, criticized the biased information about the Islamic world as breaches to the international law and to journalism code of ethics. He also said Muslims have the duty to show the real image of Islam and reflect its teachings and universal human values as a religion that respects all other religions.