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Combating Islamophobia through Intercultural Work

2024-1-TR01-KA153-YOU-0002297192024Mobility of youth workersfinalized
Countries: TR|IT|BG|FR|RO|TN · Grant: €26,718
Democracy and inclusive democratic participationPreventing racism and discriminationPrevention of conflicts, post-conflict rehabilitation

Objectives

'Combating Islamophobia through Intercultural Work' https://combatingislamophobia.com/ is a multilateral youth worker exchange organized by NEU in Tunis. Le Quai Culturel From Tunusia hosted the group. We were 7 organizations. This project brought together a group of 29 youth workers. Tunisia, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, France, and Turkey. Necmettin Erbakan University organized this study session. (NEU). In the Meeting, there were 29 participants. 14 males and 15 females. From NEU there were 5 youth workers, from Ahi-der 5 youth workers, Romania there were 4, İtaly 3, Tunisia 4, Bulgaria 4, France 4. One of the main aims was to gather active young people within (NEU)’s Member Organizations who were either already involved in human rights activities or had potential to invest in this scope. In the selection process, there was consideration for gender and regional balance. The speakers, based on their experience and knowledge in the area, also contributed to enlightening the group from different perspectives. The session was a success in many ways. The (NEU) provided excellent support and facilities that helped to run the session efficiently. The group of participants, despite their regional differences, united around their faith and values to work as a family. The lectures were informative, and the workshops proved to be the essence of the session by creating debate, awareness, and enthusiasm to reach goals through co-operation. The main aim of the study session was to provide young multipliers with information and practical skills to promote inter-religious dialogue and co-operation to overcome Islamophobia in their national and local contexts.The study session addressed the issue from various angles. The first days provided a theoretical background for understanding the roots of Islamophobia, whereas the rest of the week was dedicated to getting to know actual tools for doing inter-religious dialogue. Specifically, the tool “Making Inter-religious Calendar” was used. The week ended with making plans about how to use the newly gained skills, tools, and knowledge back home. One of the most important aims of the week was to engage the participants in inter-religious dialogue themselves. Therefore, much work during the week was done in small groups. Working together in changing mixed groups provided participants with numerous opportunities to engage in actual grass-root dialogue and to share experiences and viewpoints. Also, the Questions & Answers session in which the participants shared information and experiences contributed greatly to this aim. This participatory approach was very successful and was in general considered to be one of the highlights of the week by the participants. In addition to the focus on dialogue and participatory learning, theoretical input was an important element of the study session. Many methods ranging from visual presentations, lectures, small group work and creative approaches were used throughout the week to ensure balance in various learning styles. Provided with information about inter-religious dialogue, the psychology of Islamophobia, layers of identity, stereotypes and prejudices etc., the participants were equipped with essential knowledge about the reality of Islamophobia that young people are facing in Europe today. As to the practical side of the study session, the main tool that was presented during the week for promoting inter-religious dialogue and co-operation was the “Process of Making an Inter-religious Calendar”. Working in small groups, the participants created wall calendars for the year 2025, including holidays from both Islam and various denominations in Christianity, and shared information and experiences while completing the task. The Calendar process was developed and modified especially for this study session. It is designed to provide space for actual dialogue and mutual learning to take place, to promote co-operation, and to create shared experiences. It is a tool that the participants could take home and replicate. The Calendar process received both praise and criticism from the participants, indicating that there is potential in this tool, but that it should also be further developed. During the study session, Christian and Muslim participants from all over Europe spent a fruitful time. As the theme of the study session was "Islamophobia", participants interacted and exchanged views, formally and especially informally. The structure of the study session was helpful, as were some ad-hoc question-and-answer sessions that everyone benefited from. Thus, the participants could tackle their own "Islamophobia" or, in turn, "Christianophobia". From the very beginning, mutual suspicions faded in favor of the availability to listen to each other and to learn more about the other.

Project partners (7)