An International conference on multicultural relations recently discussed Muslim discrimination and representation of Islam in the media. US State Department advisor Farah Pandith said that Muslims suffered from a victimization mentality and that the media needed to play a more positive role. Amanullah Shahed, director of US news site AltMuslim.com told the audience at the conference that Muslims could learn from Europe, citing the disorganization of Muslims. Shahed also commented that Italy could be a leading model, sitting at the center and meeting point of the world’s two largest religions. His conversation, however, sparked negative responses from Muslim academics and clerics in both Italy and the Middle East.
