Monday, April 27th 2026
Turkey’s head of communications, Burhanettin Duran, has called on Muslim societies to regain control of their narratives, warning that the international order is facing an unprecedented crisis of legitimacy and that those who built it are now among its main saboteurs.
Speaking at the Muslim Influence Forum 2026 in Istanbul, Duran said the world is undergoing a profound transformation that goes beyond the usual changes of previous decades.
“Wars, genocides, pandemics and the erosion of trust in international institutions and norms clearly indicate that a critical threshold has been crossed,” he said, adding that the international community does not have a clear vision for the future.
Durani identified what he called key indicators of systemic breakdown, saying that major powers are increasingly reluctant to take responsibility and that some founding actors of the global order have become its main breakers.
He also emphasized the weakening of the effectiveness of the institutions created to maintain stability and resolve conflicts.
According to him, the transformation is also visible in the field of communication, arguing that the world has moved from the “age of communication” to what he called the “age of narratives”.
“In this new age, competition is no longer only about communication, but how realities are shaped, interpreted and ultimately accepted by global public opinion,” Durani said.
He added that while messages can now reach global audiences within seconds, this speed also brings risks such as disinformation, manipulation and blurring the lines between truth and lies.
Durani said that conflicts are no longer limited to the battlefield, but also develop through perception and information. He warned that fake videos, manipulated content and organized propaganda networks have become central features of modern conflicts.
“As the Director of Communications, we see the creation of an information ecosystem based on accurate, verified and reliable data as one of our top priorities,” he said.
Emphasizing Turkey’s role in international affairs, Durani said the country has acted as a mediator and peace builder in several crises. large, including those in Iraq, Syria, the South Caucasus, Ukraine and Gaza.
He added that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s message that “the world is bigger than five” is a direct response to structural inequalities in the global system.
Muslim societies as norm-setters
Burhanettin Duran also criticized the historical marginalization of Muslim societies in shaping the international order, noting that they have were largely excluded from decision-making processes when the system was created decades ago.
He referred to the works of Edward Said, particularly “Orientalism” and “Covering Islam,” arguing that Western narratives have long shaped perceptions of the Islamic world.
Turkey’s communications chief said Muslim societies must move beyond defensive positions imposed by what he described as Western-centric thinking and, instead, become the norm-setters in the new global order in the making.
“Today’s period of transition presents not only risks, but also opportunities,” he said.
“We must restore our values to the system and overcome defensive approaches shaped by Islamophobia and Eurocentric perspectives.”
Durani emphasized the role of technology companies, lobbying groups, intelligence networks and uncontrolled digital platforms in shaping global narratives, saying they influence which conflicts get attention and which voices are heard.
At the same time, he said this environment offers an opportunity for Muslim societies to reclaim and articulate their narratives.
“If we don’t tell our story, others will continue to tell it for us,” he said.
“And if others tell the story ours, they will define our place in the world.”
He called for stronger cooperation between governments, civil society, academics, journalists and artists, as well as greater investment in digital education and institutions that fight disinformation.
Durani expressed hope that the dialogue and cooperation fostered at the forum will strengthen unity in the Muslim world and contribute positively to the wider international community.
We use cookies to improve the experience and display ads (Google AdSense).
By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the use of cookies according to
Privacy Policy
and
Cookies Policy.
You can reject non-necessary cookies by clicking “Reject”.
Source: prizrenpost
Etiketa: Brief
