Amid growing global concern over Islamophobia, an important initiative has emerged in Türkiye. Ankara Bilim Üniversitesi (Ankara Science University) has established a dedicated research center focused on studying and responding to Islamophobia. The center aims to examine rising anti-Muslim hatred, prejudice, and misrepresentation through academic research and evidence-based analysis.
The institution, named the “ İslamofobi ile Mücadele Araştırma Merkezi” (Center for Combating Islamophobia), was established in 2025 and officially inaugurated on May 22 at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
The ceremony was attended by several senior officials, including Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Deputy Foreign Minister Burhanettin Duran, and the head of the country’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, Ali Erbaş, along with other government and academic representatives.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ersoy said that confronting racism, discrimination, and hatred has become essential for the future of the world. He argued that the centuries-old idea of racial superiority in parts of the West is now often expressed through Islamophobic rhetoric and narratives.
Ersoy also noted that throughout history, religion has frequently been used as a tool in struggles for power and authority. From the persecution of Christians during the era of the Roman Empire to the exploitation of people across Asia, Africa, and the Americas during the age of colonial expansion, communities of different faiths have often been targeted in the pursuit of dominance.
According to him, Muslims today are increasingly facing the consequences of this same pattern. He emphasized that Islamophobia should not be viewed merely as a religious issue but as a broader challenge that threatens human dignity and social harmony.
The center at Ankara Science University aims not only to document incidents of Islamophobia but also to examine their causes, consequences, and possible solutions. Through academic research, educational programs, and international conferences, the center seeks to better understand the problem and contribute to efforts to address it at a global level.
As part of these efforts, the center organized an international conference in June 2025 titled “The Growing Threat of Islamophobia in the World.” The event featured Miguel Ángel Moratinos, who spoke about the rising spread of Islamophobic rhetoric and actions worldwide and highlighted the need for coordinated international responses.
Later, on January 7, 2026, a consultative meeting on developing a strategic roadmap to counter Islamophobia was held at the Presidential National Library, with the center serving as host. Representatives from various institutions discussed inter-institutional cooperation, ongoing initiatives, key challenges, areas for improvement, and future plans. The discussions also examined the growing global trend of Islamophobia, the role of media narratives, and possible strategies to address the issue.
According to the center’s organizers, a complex issue such as Islamophobia cannot be addressed by a single country or institution alone. For this reason, the center plans to collaborate with universities, research institutions, and civil society organizations around the world. Its initiatives include documenting incidents of Islamophobia, compiling records of religious sites, analyzing portrayals of Muslims in media, and conducting research on online hate speech and digital misinformation.
Experts note that Islamophobia is not only a political or ideological issue but also a broader social phenomenon. Addressing it, therefore, requires not only research but also greater public awareness. The center at Ankara Science University represents a step in that direction—an effort to better understand the rising tide of Islamophobia, encourage informed global dialogue, and contribute to building a more just and respectful world.
