THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS IN AN EFFECTIVE STRUGGLE AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA: A SERIES OF SUGGESTIONS

Authors : Fuat USTAKARA

Pages : 90-99

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Publication Date : 2019-07-04

Article Type : Review Paper

Abstract :Islam, as a term, means submission to Allah and refers to concepts of “peace and well-being”. However, the unrealistic anti-Islam policy that has been adopted since the September 11 attacks especially, led to claims about Islam’s connection with terrorism. This discriminatory trend of hate speech is called Islamophobia. Besides, the Clash of Civilizations Hypothesis is a fact to mention when it comes to Islamophobia’s developmental process. In a struggle against Islamophobia, the Islamic world should utilize public relations strategies under the guidance of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In this regard, this study offers suggestions regarding what practices should be employed in terms of strategic public relations in the prevention of Islamophobia. This study emphasizes the need to take the two-way asymmetric model of public relations into account for practices, so that perceptions and attitudes of Islamophobic people can be affected.    
Keywords : Islamophobia, Clash of Civilizations Hypothesis, Strategic Public Relations