Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, who evaluated the United Nations' (UN) adoption of March 15 as the “International Day to Combat Islamophobia” as an important step for global peace, also stated that its realization through Turkey's initiative brought additional joy. Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that a phobia with Islam as its object has been created, noting that Islamophobia is an automatic prejudice. Tarhan stated that the “Islamophobia and Anti-Islam Discourses Panel,” which Üsküdar Üniversitesi has been preparing for some time and will be held on March 26, is a pleasant coincidence, especially as this decision is being discussed. He invited everyone interested to the program. Tarhan reminded that humanity's greatest need today is dialogue, and its biggest enemy is prejudice, adding that violence is a product of Mesopotamian culture, not Islam.
“UN’s decision on the Day to Combat Islamophobia is an important step for Global Peace”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Psychiatrist, known for his writings and statements on Islamophobia, evaluated the United Nations' adoption of March 15 as the “International Day to Combat Islamophobia”. Tarhan, who found the decision very appropriate and meaningful, added that its acceptance through a draft resolution presented by Turkey and Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was also a pleasing development.
Islamophobia is an automatic prejudice
“The UN’s step is a very important step for global peace in the world,” said Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, adding, “Because the things that most hinder global peace are automatic prejudices. Islamophobia is also an automatic prejudice. For example, when a person encounters someone with a physical appearance of a beard and a robe, they automatically experience a perception towards Islamophobia. I would like to explain this with an example in the USA. For instance, when a mother and child walking hand in hand in the country see an African American, the mother immediately grabs the child's hand and pulls them closer. This is a phobia.”
Islamophobia is processed as subliminal perception in films
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that Islamophobia is depicted in Hollywood films: “Similarly, globally, within the process that emerged in the world regarding the September 2001 US Twin Towers tragedy, there is currently an Islamophobia portrayed even in Hollywood films... You look at new Hollywood films, what was the main theme in Cold War films before? Russia and the Cold War, agency wars with Iron Curtain countries. Now, you see violent agency wars with a Middle Eastern organization somewhere in the films. The issue of Islamophobia is subconsciously processed as subliminal perception in films. This somehow created a phobia in people who do not know what Islam is.”
A phobia with Islam as its object has been created
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that fears with an object are called phobias: “For example, arachnophobia and fear of heights. Here too, a phobia with an object has been created. A phobia where Islam is the object. The UN’s adoption of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia is a declaration that this phobia is indeed a phobia, that it is not rational or realistic, and that it will harm global peace.”
Humanity’s greatest need is dialogue, its biggest enemy is prejudice
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that when there is a phobia, the person avoids the relevant individual they encounter, and in this situation, dialogue can break down:
“However, humanity's greatest need is dialogue, and its biggest enemy is prejudice. This is a beautiful saying expressed by Cemil Meriç. Currently, there is prejudice regarding this. The issue of combating this prejudice is the most important duty of people in Eastern culture, people in our civilization's geography. For example, there are successful African Americans in America who are free from the African-American phobia. Like some successful athletes and statesmen... For example, Obama. Why was Obama elected? They elected him because he was successful, and there was no phobia towards him. This behavior serves global peace. The Islamic world also has a duty in this context. If we have a claim in this civilization, if we want to correctly explain our civilization's geography to the whole world through violence and fear with the global system, if we have a claim in this century, we need to approach this claim like the example of African Americans' success in America. As they become successful in science, art, music, and many other fields, and turn to areas other than violence, this phobia truly improves. This also takes time. The UN's decision to undertake various awareness studies related to this is a good and appropriate thing.”
This UN decision will serve global peace
“The psychiatric equivalent of phobia is irrational fear,” said Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. “It refers to unrealistic fears. There is an object, but feeling a disproportionate fear towards it exists. It restricts one's life, creates prejudice, and disrupts relationships. For this reason, I believe that this definition related to phobia is one of the best works the UN has done in recent years to serve world peace. This decision will serve global peace.”
We will discuss a figure who prevented Islam and violence from coming together
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the coincidence of the UN's decision with the “Islamophobia and Anti-Islam Discourses Panel,” which Üsküdar Üniversitesi has been preparing for a long time and is planned to be held on March 26, is significant. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “We will discuss a topic exactly on Islamophobia, focusing on a figure known for his work in preventing Islamophobia and whose life has been dedicated to this. In Turkey, there was a representative of Anatolian Islam who ensured that Islam and violence did not come together and thwarted the game on February 28. We will examine the method of positive action developed by this representative of Anatolian Islam, who is the Mevlana, Ghazali, Imam-i Rabbani, and Ahmet Yesevi of this era, Bediüzzaman Said Nursi.”
Violence is a product of Mesopotamian culture, not Islam
Tarhan reminded that when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) returned from a war, he said, 'The small jihad is over, the great jihad has begun,' and those with him asked, 'What is the great jihad, O Messenger of Allah?' The Prophet replied, 'The great jihad is the struggle against our own desires.' Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Now that has begun. You look at wars, there's a perception that sees Islam with a sword in hand. This fuels Islamophobia. Having a sword on the flag is entirely patriarchal culture. It has nothing to do with Islam. This is not Islam, this is a culture. But this is not present in Anatolian culture. In Anatolian culture, for example, they ask Mevlana, 'What is jihad?' And he says, 'It is taking the weapon out of the hands of a madman.' Similarly, Bediüzzaman developed the method of positive action. He stated that one can object to the state's mistakes but never rebel, and presented a non-politicized understanding of religion, expressing opinions without rebellion. He initiated a movement against the politicization, commercialization, and even secularization of religion. In this movement, he prioritized religion's role in connecting people with Allah. Bediüzzaman emphasized monotheism. As a method, he chose the positive action method. This is the most ideal movement for Islamophobia. To combat Islamophobia, Muslims will act with diplomacy. They will act with evidence. I currently believe that the violence in the Middle East is a product of Mesopotamian culture, not Islam.”
The system closest to Islam is called democracy
“The system closest to Islam is called democracy,” said Prof. Dr. Tarhan. “Therefore, democracy has no tissue incompatibility with Islam. If we explain it this way, we contribute to democracy, to the diplomatic resolution of problems in a peaceful environment. Peace is the principle, war is the exception. War is not an option. After all other avenues have been tried, war is resorted to as a last resort. We will see this when we examine Islamic history. We are holding the “Islamophobia and Anti-Islam Discourses Panel” with international participation on March 26 to explain all these points. We invite everyone interested in the topic of Islamophobia on March 26. The UN's decision and our program, planned with this main idea, turned out to be a pleasant coincidence.”