LIVE: Doğan Group holds panel in US against Islamophobia

Turkey's Doğan Group is holding a panel in Washington in a bid to globally fight against the fallacies and prejudices directed toward Islam.

The panel titled "Islamophobia: Overcoming Myths and Engaging in a Better Conversation" in cooperation with the U.S.-based Atlantic Council think tank and the Smithsonian Institution began at 11:00 a.m.

Hürriyet Chairwoman Vuslat Doğan Sabancı is delivering the opening speech of the panel, which will be moderated by the president and CEO of the Atlantic Council, Frederick Kempe.

The panel is also featuring author and comparative religion commentator Karen Armstrong; former Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydın; the dean of the School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University, Vali Nasr, and renowned human rights activist Zainab Salbi.

Meanwhile, the opening gala of the exhibition titled "The Art of the Qur'an: Treasures from the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts" was held on Oct. 19 at the Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian.

Marking a first in the U.S., centuries-old Qur'ans taken from the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Istanbul will be exhibited during the exhibition, which is being sponsored by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, Koç Holding, Doğan Group and Turkish Airlines. 

The exhibition will be open through Feb. 20, 2017.

The Art of the Qur'an: Treasures from the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts