"Religious pluralism and religious freedom are compatible in the modern understanding of politics. Since the European Union is a very active player in the international system, it should approach this approach". This was stated at the University of Navarra by Didem Doganyilmaz Duman, professor at department of Political Science and International Office at the University of Halic (Turkey).

Professor Doganyilmaz made these statements at the framework of the internationalcongress 'Abrahamic Religions and Interfaith Relations in the Past and Present'. The activity was organized by the project 'Religion and Civil Society ' of the Institute for Culture and Society of the University of Navarra.

The expert referred to the growing visibility of Islam in the European Union, which she blamed mainly on "the unfortunate connection with the recent terrorist attacks" and the arrival of refugees from Muslim societies. According to her, this visibility has increased the negative perception of Islam "as a psychological and physical threat" and she warned that it could dent Europe's pluralist approach .

"Many people are afraid of Islam because they associate it with terrorism. It is important to show that 'real Islam' is a religion, not a cause for fear," he stressed.

The responsibility of the media

"On the physical level, terrorist actions linked to Islam are a fundamental reason for phobias. As for the more psychological aspects, it is worth noting the messages or threats from extremists, the arrival of Muslim refugees and the false stereotypes that the media reinforce in their coverage of radicals. Journalists should keep a balance between images of extremist militants and ordinary Muslims," he said.

To curb the growth of rejection of Islam, Professor Doganyilmaz called for the involvement of both governments and civil society: "The laws of the European Union are of significant importance, but not enough, as it takes time for them to be reflected in society. This is why official regulations must be accompanied by the commitment of civil society".

Didem Doganyilmaz Duman graduated from Mimar Sinan University (Turkey) in 2008 and continued her programs of study at Rovira i Virgili University, where she completed a Master's Degree in programs of study Cultural Mediterranean and later pursued a thesis doctoral degree on the relationship between religion and politics and Turkey.

During her stay in Spain between 2009 and 2015, she worked on a project of research of the Chair of UNESCO for Intercultural Dialogue in the Mediterranean.

She is currently a professor at department of Political Science and International Office at Halic University (Turkey) and is part of the research team of the above-mentioned Chair of UNESCO.

Didem Doganyilmaz was amongmore than 30 researchers from universities in 18 countries who discussed interfaith dialogue between Christianity, Islam and Judaism at framework of congress 'Abrahamic Religions and Interfaith Relations in the Past and Present'.

The participants, specialists in fields such as social sciences, history, Philosophy and Humanities, presented research that sought to shed light on how to achieve greater understanding between the Abrahamic religions.

Keynote speakers included Monawar Hussain, Muslim Imam and advisor at the Hospitals NHS Trust of the University of Oxford (UK); Carlos Eire, Professor of Religious History and programs of study at Yale University (USA); James Conroy, Professor of Religious and Philosophical Studies at the University of Glasgow (UK) and Professor of Religious and Philosophical Studies; and Tania ap Siôn, Deputy Director of St. Mary's University (UK).); James Conroy, Vice President of internationalization at the University of Glasgow (UK) and Professor of Education Religion and Philosophy; and Tania ap Siôn, Deputy Director of research center St. Mary's in Wales and Research Fellow at the research Religion Unit and Education at the University of Warwick (UK).