On April 30, 2015 the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding launched its new multi-year research project on Islamophobia, The Bridge Initiative. Born out of recognition that the age of the Internet-with its democratization of communications-presents unique challenges and opportunities for those seeking to educate the public and inform popular culture, The Bridge Initiative brings faculty, subject-matter experts, and researchers together to examine attitudes and behaviors towards Muslims; to dissect public discourses on Islam; to uncover the operational mechanisms of engineered Islamophobia; and to develop and disseminate alternative narratives that raise public awareness and enrich public discourse on this dangerous form of prejudice.
Speakers at the spring launch included Anne Norton, professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of On the Muslim Question; Mehdi Hasan, an award-winning British journalist and Al-Jazeera host; and Roland Schatz, president of the internationally acclaimed media organization, Media Tenor. The evening event also featured a special message of congratulations from Congressman Mike Honda.
For more information on The Bridge Initiative, visit: bridge.georgetown.edu