By SM Fasiullah for TwoCIrcles.net
Hyderabad: Islam is not a threat to India and the humanity, said British journalist Yvonne Ridley today at 'Spring of Islam' conference in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking to a gathering of over 200 journalists via Skype from the UK, Ridley highlighted the need to remove misconceptions about Islam among media professionals. “Pen is mightier than sword, and Muslims should use it to remove the veil of ignorance and spread Islam and its teachings,” she said.
Education can help in fighting many social problems. Ridley urged Indian Muslims to choose media related courses. She also pointed the need to make better use of YouTube, and other social network sites for dawah.
Dr. PJ Sudhakar at "Spring of Islam" conference.
Dr P J Sudhakar, Additional Director General of All India Radio (New Delhi), asked journalists attending the session to speak out truth - a fundamental principle of journalism. He urged journalists to make use of the power of pen to promote love and fight for human rights.
“Media should present unbiased report in the public, and not mislead them”, he said while criticizing the prevailing paid news concept. Dr Sudhakar, who holds 14 PhDs and over 100 degrees, said that Islam condemns injustice and violence. He added: “Islam supports human values and human relations.”
Other notable speakers at 3-day conference were: Shoukat Ali Sufi, Editor Rashtriya Sahara; AM Khan Yazdani (Danny) from NTV; Abdul Salam Puthige, Editor-in-Chief, Varthabharathi (Mangalore), and Syed Ali, journalist from Kolkata.