REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PARIS -- President of Religion for Peace of Asia Pacific Interfaith Youth, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, said Islamophobia increased after terrorist attacks at three places in Paris. Europe and the United States became countries that have high tendency in Islamophobia.

According to Dahnil, the role of International media that tend to label Muslims and Islam as terrorists have formed society of Europe and the United States to be racist, especially to Arabs and Islam.

"This fact is extremely worrying. It takes a more active role of Indonesian Muslims to answer accusations against Islam and Muslims in the world," said Dahnil, in Global Youth Summit of Religion for Peace in Paris, France, Monday (30/1).

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Dahnil explained, Indonesian Muslims were proved to portray Islam as rahmatan lilalamin. In addition, Europe and the United States often did not get a complete picture about Islam in other countries, especially in Indonesia. The international media always showed Islam in the Middle East or other countries, such as Bangladesh and Pakistan.

"The role of civil groups such as Muhammadiyah and NU, and of course the Government of Indonesia, is very important," Dahnil added.

He continued, the government could use Islam diplomacy to the world to counter Islamophobia. Muhammadiyah also could help through 'people to people' networking and through other interfaith organizations, such as Religion for Peace.

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