European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
and Management Studies
65
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TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
65-69
DOI
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
23 March 2025
ACCEPTED
19 April 2025
PUBLISHED
21 May 2025
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue05 2025
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
Religious Xenophobia in
The Era of Globalization
Nosirova Aziza Rustamovna
Teacher of International Islamic Sciences Academy of Uzbekistan, PhD,
Uzbekistan
Abstract:
This article analyzes the issues of
manifestation of religious xenophobia in the era of
globalization. In today's period, research within the
framework of this topic plays an important role. The
article mainly covers the main aspects and conclusions
of the dissertation entitled "Religious xenophobia and
features of its manifestation in the era of globalization"
and serves to form a holistic picture in the reader on
the topic. In particular, the article covers such issues as
the relevance and necessity of the topic of the
dissertation, the degree of study of the problem, the
tasks of the study, the scientific novelty of the study,
the practical result of the study, the scientific and
practical significance of the research results and so on.
In the study of the problem of xenophobia, research has
been conducted in the fields of philosophy, history,
pedagogy, psychology, law, religion, which shows that
it has a coverage based on an interdisciplinary
approach.
Keywords:
Religious
xenophobia,
globalization,
islamophobia, religious freedom, confessional, culture
of communication.
Introduction:
Actuality and necessity of research
. One
of the main causes of religious and ethnic conflicts in
the world is religious xenophobia (greek. xenos - a
stranger; phobos
–
fear)
–
fear of other religions, beliefs
and cultures is caused by negative attitudes resulting
from unfounded fears. It has been observed that two-
thirds of the conflicts in the 20th and 21st centuries are
caused by misunderstandings and fears (phobias)
related to religion and racial affiliation. The scale of the
problem threatens not only the security of states, but
also human lives, as well as prosperity and
development. For this reason, a scientific conceptual
study of the manifestations of religious xenophobia is
actual.
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European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Management Studies
The fact that there are cases of inability to rationally
accept the peculiarities of other religions, cultures and
races in the world requires a scientific, theoretical and
methodological study of the genesis of xenophobia, the
features of manifestation and the religious-
enlightenment basis of prevention. In the study of the
problem of xenophobia, research has been conducted
in the fields of philosophy, history, pedagogy,
psychology, law, religion, which shows that it has a
coverage based on an interdisciplinary approach. For
the sustainable development of interreligious relations
in the era of globalization, it is necessary to study the
dynamics of behavior based on unfounded and artificial
fears on the basis of religious xenophobia, identify
mechanisms to prevent it, develop a scientific-
theoretical basis taking into account specific and
mental characteristics.
In recent years in Uzbekistan, a special attention is
being paid to inter-religious tolerance, ensuring
harmony between people, the priority of national and
religious values, the formation of a healthy worldview
amon
g young people, and “the fight against ignorance
through enlightenment”. Training of qualified
specialists and conducting scientific research are
considered to be important issues in the
implementation of these tasks. Ensuring socio-political,
religious stability, prevention of religious xenophobia,
Islamophobia, extremism and terrorism, “raising public
awareness, especially among young people, about the
nature and purpose of destructive ideas that equate
religion with violence and bloodshed”
have been
identified as a priority tasks in Uzbekistan, where
representatives of different nationalities and religions
live.
The
following
dissertation
serves
to
the
implementation of the certain tasks mentioned in the
Decree №5847 of October 8, 2019 "On approval of t
he
Concept of development of the higher education
system of the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030",
№5416 of April 16, 2018 "On measures to radically
improve the activities of the religious and educational
sphere", №UP
-5542 dated September 19, 2018 "On
enhancement of procedure for release from criminal
liability of the citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on
delusion who appeared as a part of terrorist, the
extremist or other prohibited organizations and
groups”, and the Decree №466 of the Cabinet of
Ministers dated June 22, 2018 "On measures to
organize and support the activities of the International
Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan".
Level of study of the problem
. Some studies have been
carried out in connection with the emergence of
religious xenophobia in the history of mankind and its
broader manifestation in era of globalization. The study
of xenophobia in psychology is based on the views on
the systematization and classification of "phobia".
According to the results of this research, in addition to
neurotic fears, there are opinions that there is a type of
fear that is manifested in social relations, classified in
the form of "ourselves" and "others". Later,
xenophobia started to be researched in conjunction
with similar, logically close phenomena, like
–
religious
separatism, ethnocentrism, dogmatism, in-group
favoritism.
Тhe study of foreign literature in Western language
within the scope of the research topic is of great
importance. In the works of a number of researchers,
such as R.Augustine, J.Augustine, B.Bahler, D.Hall,
B.Rayney, J.Pilley issues such as the origin, causes,
religion and forms of manifestation of racial
xenophobia were analyzed .
It is noteworthy to name the scientists of the
Commonwealth of Independent States who have
researched the problem of xenophobia from, a
religious-social,
psychological,
pedagogical,
philosophical point of view like, G. Engelgardt, A.
Krymin, A.Makarchuk, A.Slezin, A. Astaxova, G.
Soldatova, Dj. Mutagirov, G.Sagalakova, L.Apanasyuk,
O.Shevchenko, V.Mukomel, N.Radjabov A.Shtemberg .
The research of these scientists examines the causes of
the problem of xenophobia, its reflection in historical
processes and the reasons that socio-economic and
demographic factors also play a role as a result of
globalization.
Arab researchers Muhammad Abu Zahra, Muhammad
Said Ramadan Buti, Muhammad Ghazzali, Muhammad
Juhani have focused on such issues as the relations
between religions, religious tolerance based on the
religion of islam, the peculiarities of religions, spiritual
perfection of a human, the priority of universal qualities
in their works.
Issues such as the priority of the ideas of tolerance in
the socio-political, religious and enlightenment life of
Uzbekistan,
ensuring
freedom
of
conscience,
strengthening friendly interfaith relations, improving
the culture of interreligious dialogue are considered to
be the priorities of state policy. The foundations of
tolerance are important factors in preventing the
religious
xenophobia.
During
the
years
of
independence, various researches in this area have
been conducted by local scientists. In particular, several
books and articles by prominent scholars such as
Sh.Yovkochev, B.Babadjanov, Sh.Madaeva, A.Ochildiev,
Sh.Goibnazarov,
Z.
Islamov,
D.Raximdjanov,
I.Khujamurodov, U.Khasanboyev, K.Komilov, A. Tojiyev,
M.Abdukhamidov are noteworthy . Throughout the
history of its statehood, Uzbekistan has always paid
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European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Management Studies
special attention to strengthening interethnic harmony
and promoting the ideas of religious tolerance. From
the analysis of the above-mentioned research, it can be
concluded that in Uzbekistan, in the era of
globalization, no special research has been conducted
to shed light on religious xenophobia and its
manifestations. This, in turn, led to the selection of the
subject as an object of scientific work.
The scientific novelty of the research is that:
historically, xenophobia as a phenomenon has been a
natural process for all peoples and tribes to maintain
their territorial integrity, and in the age of globalization,
religious segregation, ethnocentrism, group favoritism,
and bigotry have become major factors in conflicts
between religions and nations;
in studying the historical causes of religious
xenophobia, its negative aspects, such as religious
doctrine and the division of communities into
"ourselves" and "others", are based on historical and
factual data from the XI-XIII th centuries European
Crusades and the XVI th century “Bartholomew's Day”
massacre in France;
in the context of globalization, the symbiosis of
religious xenophobia with events such as extremism
and terrorism has been proven to increase the
dynamics of destructive behaviors associated with
islamophobia;
religious-enlightenment education has been found to
be one of the most effective tools in preventing the
emergence of the concepts of "religious fanaticism"
and "absolutism" in the minds of individuals, which
form such subjective factors as "chosen nation",
"absolute true religion" based on religious xenophobia.
The practical result of the research:
the essence of religious xenophobia, its historical roots,
the features of its manifestation in the era of
globalization and its types such as anti-Semitism,
Christianophobia,
Islamophobia
were
studied
thoroughly in the example historical processes, such as
the “Crusades” and the “Bartholomew's Day”;
through the study of the problem of religious
xenophobia in the era of globalization, attention is
focused on understanding the root problems that are
occurring globally and regionally, a scientific-
theoretical analysis of the reasons why it also
influences the trend of religious-social relations;
theories on equality of people regardless of religion,
language, nationality, race, culture of interreligious
dialogue, interethnic harmony, raising the morale of
young people and strengthening ideological immunity
are systematically given;
proposals and recommendations on strengthening the
ethno-confessional relations in Uzbekistan and the
formation of a culture of interreligious dialogue, the
promotion of the principle of religious tolerance as a
key factor in the prevention of religious xenophobia
have been developed.
Reliability of the research results
. Reliability of
research results is elucidated through the number of
articles published in proceedings of national and
international scientific conferences, special journals
listed in the SAC and articles published in foreign
scientific journals, preliminary results of the
dissertation are explained by the fact that it is
implemented in practice and duly approved by the
competent authorities.
The scientific and practical importance of the research
results
. The results of the research can be used to study
the history of world religions, the nature of extremism
and terrorism, the priority of tolerance against religious
xenophobia and Islamophobia, religious freedom in the
Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, law on
“Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations”.
The practical significance of the research is elucidated
by the creation of textbooks and manuals in higher
education, including the subjects “The history of world
religions”, “Islam and modernity”, "Fundamentals of
building immunity against religious threats" taught at
the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, and
usage of dissertation materials in teaching special
subjects.
Implementation of research results
. Based on the
scientific results of research on religious xenophobia
and its manifestations in the era of globalization:
As a phenomenon, xenophobia has historically been a
natural process for all peoples and tribes to maintain
their territorial integrity, and in the age of globalization,
religious segregation, ethnocentrism, group favoritism,
and fanaticism have become major factors in conflicts
between
religions
and
nations.
And
the
abovementioned issues were come in handy in the
preparation of the book "Recommendations for social
rehabilitation and adaptation of individuals to society
affected by foreign ideas" published in the framework
of the practical grant project PZ-20170930317 "Social
rehabilitation of people affected by extremist ideas in
the process of globalization" (2018-2020) in
International
Islamic
Academy of
Uzbekistan.
(Reference of the Committee on Religious Affairs under
the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan
No. 02-03 / 1886 of March 25, 2021). As a result, it has
played an important role in providing citizens with
answers based on important questions in the field of
religion and in resolving issues related to religious
xenophobia and interreligious relations;
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European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Management Studies
The main idea of the dissertation is given in the book
"Bukhara - the capital of culture of the Islamic world",
published by the Center for Islamic civilization under
the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Idea reveals information about scientific conclusions
that the symbiosis of religious xenophobia with events
such as extremism and terrorism in the context of
globalization affects the dynamics of destructive
behavior associated with Islamophobia. (Reference of
the Center for Islamic Civilization under the Cabinet of
Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated March
24, 2021 No. 192/21). As a result, it served to raise
awareness of the importance of Islamic culture against
Islamophobia and to study the scientific and spiritual
heritage of our ancestors, to awaken a sense of national
identity and pride.
Dissertation materials were used in the preparation of
the book-album "Uzbekistan - a forgiving country"
commissioned on the basis of the state order by the
Imam Bukhari International Research Center. The book-
album includes the scientific and theoretical views on
religious education and the promotion of religious
tolerance in order to prevent the emergence of the
concepts of "religious fanaticism", "absolutism" in the
minds of individuals, forming such subjective factors as
"chosen nation", "absolute true religion" based on
religious xenophobia. (Reference of the the Imam
Bukhari International Research Center under the
Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan
dated December 3, 2021 No. 02/494). As a result, the
widespread promotion of the ideas of religious
tolerance, thereby ensuring the prevention of religious
xenophobia, served to strengthen the culture of
interreligious communication.
TV channel "O‘zbekiston tarixi" of the National
Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan used the
scientific results of the dissertation in the preparation
of scripts for some programs. In particular, the most
important scientific and theoretical ideas put forward
in the dissertation were used in the program
"Taqdimot" aired on the TV channel "O‘zbekiston
tarixi". (Reference of the State Unitary Enterprise of the
National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan
"O‘zbekiston tarixi" channel dated December 6, 2019
No 02-40-2581). As a result, recommendations for the
prevention of religious xenophobia were delivered to
the general public, and the theoretical level of the
show's content was increased.
CONCLUSIONS
Religious xenophobia and its manifestations in the era
of globalization have been studied and the following
scientific and theoretical conclusions have been drawn
within the framework of the stated goals and
objectives:
1. Religious хenophobia is a set of behaviors that arise
from a negative attitude towards it, considering the
feelings of fear of people, groups and others, concepts
related to different religions, religious, philosophical
teachings. In the scientific-theoretical study of religious
xenophobia by philosophers, historians, religious
scientists are based on such techniques as
primordialism, constructivism, instrumentalism. On the
basis of these approaches, there is a theory of its
dihotomic (split into two) division, in which the
relationship between national and religious identity -
specific groups, such as "we - them" is one of the main
aspects of the study of religious xenophobia.
2. The Crusades of Western European countries in the
Middle East in the 11th-13th centuries, conflicts
between Islam and Christianity and the conflict
between Catholics and Protestants which took place in
the history of France in the 16th century show that
wars, xenophobic movements can be related to any
religion and region. As a result of these events,
restrictions on religious freedom, bigotry, and religious
fanaticism have been impeded in the development of
society.
3. Islamophobia is the misinterpretation of actions in
the media and information space as a result of
irrational fears of Islam, the unfounded and artificial
coverage of Islam in conjunction with events such as
extremism and terrorism, which leads to an increase in
unfair relations between those who are unaware of its
true nature. In fact, Islam, as the embodiment of lofty
ideals, has laid the foundations of an unequal
civilization, on which the system of religious values
manifests itself as a force against any aggression.
4. To prevent xenophobia criteria such as the unity in
diversity in the formation of a culture of interfaith
communication and tolerance, transition from conflict
to tolerance theory, cooperation in dialogue, free
choice of culture, control of cultural borders, growth of
religious culture, application of long-term relations in
religious-social relations are considered to be essential.
The situation related to xenophobia in religious and
social processes in Myanmar also shows the weakness
or inactivity of socio-political institutions that are
capable to deal with human rights violations, dialogue
between representatives of two nations and religions,
to prevent conflicts. And it also showed the lack of
fundamental foundations of interethnic harmony in the
country. In such situations, there is a tendency for
innocent people to become refugees and immigrants
due to artificial bureaucratic barriers.
5. Xenophobia is not the same concept as destructive
behavior such as extremism and terrorism, but it serves
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European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Management Studies
as a "raw material" for their emergence. Every object,
religion, look, person under the influence of
хenophobia, as a result of fear arising from the inability
to rationally perceive national specific features, the
inability to understand their essence, can lay the
groundwork for his activities in a radical, extremist form
of dependence. It is necessary to prevent religious
xenophobia in the effective fight against these
phenomena.
6. International organizations such as the UN, the OIC,
the EU are working with non-governmental
organizations and the media to develop effective
means and methods for eliminating religious
xenophobia in the countries of the East and West. The
main achievements in this area are the cooperation of
the OIC-UN, the OIC-us and the OIC-EU. In 2011, the UN
adopted a legal document entitled 16/18 "Fanaticism
to create a negative image, to promote discrimination,
to combat conflicts in matters of religion and e'tiqod".
In the framework of the UN Charter, it is emphasized
that "the world should be based on the moral and
moral solidarity of humanity".
7. In order to prevent xenophobia, unity in diversity in
the formation of a culture of religious dialogue and
tolerance, transition from conflict to the theory of
tolerance, cooperation in communication, free choice
of culture, control of cultural boundaries, increase of
religious culture, application of the principles of long-
term relations in religious-social relations are
important aspects.
8. Initiatives and reforms such as increasing the
financial potential of the region in the socio-economic
sphere, the correct and effective organization of youth
leisure, education based on programs that promote the
development of religious education at all stages of
education, regular monitoring of inter-ethnic relations
and making information accessible to citizens serve as
important factors in the prevention of xenophobia.
9. On the basis of Uzbekistan from ancient times,
tolerance of religion, particular importance was
attached to strengthening the harmony of the nation.
In the years of independence, the main div of the
country serving the stability and development of
ethnoconfessional relations of the state, the
"Constitution of Uzbekistan", "Аct on freedom of
conscience and religious organizations", legal
documents aimed at "Radical improvement of the
activities of the religious and educational sphere", the
adoption of the resolution "Enlightenment and
religious tolerance" on the basis of the proposal of
Uzbekistan.
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