Addressing the Muslim Impact Forum 2026 in İstanbul, one of the historic centres of Islamic civilisation, Prof. Burhanettin Duran, the Presidency's Head of Communications of the Republic of Türkiye, said, "If we fail to tell our own story, others will continue to tell it for us. And if others tell it for us, they will also define our place in the world."
Pointing out that the world is currently undergoing a "profound transformation", Duran said, "Twenty years ago, this could have been seen as a normal shift in the international system. But today, it is far more serious. Wars, genocides, pandemics, and the growing loss of trust in international institutions and norms show that we have crossed a critical threshold. Today, amid growing uncertainty in the international system, wars are no longer fought solely on the battlefield; they are waged in minds, across screens, and through perception itself. Fake videos, manipulated content, and organised propaganda networks now constitute the new frontlines of conflict."
Duran emphasised the importance of protecting Muslim societies against disinformation, stating that digital literacy is no longer optional but essential.
"Fact-checking mechanisms and institutions dedicated to combating disinformation play a critical role in countering Islamophobia, prejudice, and hate campaigns. As the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, we regard the establishment of an information ecosystem grounded in accurate, verified, and reliable knowledge as our foremost priority. In Türkiye, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we are striving to strengthen a state capacity that governs information wisely and shapes the future, resisting perception management operations with strategic clarity," said Duran.