2-day event features scholars from over dozen Muslim-majority countries presenting papers on Islam's relationship with democracy, freedom of thought, market economy, and civil society
The 11th International Islam and Liberty Conference began on Friday in Istanbul, Türkiye, gathering scholars from over a dozen Muslim-majority countries.
Organized by the Black Sea Strategic Research Center and the Liberal Thought Society, the two-day conference examines the role of civil values and institutions within Muslim societies.
Scholars will present papers on topics like the intersection of Islam with democracy, freedom of thought, market economies, and civil society, drawing from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
Addressing global issues, Ozlem Caglar Yilmaz, director general of the Association for Liberal Thinking, reflected on how humanity once believed it had learned from the past by establishing global human rights treaties and creating institutions like the EU and the UN after major atrocities.
"Assessing the events of the past year in (Gaza) with a clear mind and striving to see beyond international biased media or propaganda has become a historical duty, requiring an independent, humanitarian, and moral stance,” she said.
Ali Salman, CEO of the Liberty and Islam Network, spoke about the foundation's formation during the Arab Spring. "Thirteen years later, we are witnessing the reversal of those early hopes," he remarked.
"This month also marks one year of the catastrophic genocide in Gaza, where a complete breakdown of international law has shaken our confidence in the humanity itself has the right to life, which is fundamental to right to liberty has been taken away by an unlawful demonstration of military power," Salman added.
Yusuf Cevahir, chairman of the Black Sea Foundation, highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean.
“Those who saying the Arab Spring while aiming to turn the region into hell are now unafraid to make us witness the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza,” Cevahir said.
He also pointed out the plight of irregular migrants who perished attempting to reach the West, many of whose bodies washed ashore.
- Opening session highlights
During the opening session, Atilla Yayla from Istanbul Medipol University and a member of the Islam and Liberty Network Advisory Board, condemned Israel for disregarding liberal principles in its actions against Gaza.
Yayla remarked that attempts to justify Israel's actions often rest on the argument that "everything started with Hamas' attacks on Oct. 7."
“Collective punishment has been Israel's policy for decades,” he said.
Yayla further criticized Israel for deliberately targeting civilians, particularly women and children, and for using white phosphorus bombs. "For liberals, supporting Israel would be a betrayal of their ideology,” he added.
Syed Kamall, a member of the UK's House of Lords and chair of the Islam and Liberty Network Advisory Board, emphasized that the Quran calls on Muslims to respect other people of Abrahamic faiths and to uphold moral principles.
Kamall explained that the tolerance advocated by liberalism does not imply erasing differences, but rather embracing them.
