Islamophobia Awareness Month 2020
The University and Students’ Association are holding events and sharing resources throughout November to promote Islamophobia Awareness Month to our University community.
Islamophobia Awareness Month was founded in 2012 to deconstruct and challenge stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. The month-long campaign aims to raise awareness of Islamaphobic hate crimes, and showcase the positive contribution of British Muslims to society.
The theme of this year’s Islamophobia Awareness Month is ‘Rooted in Racism’, recognising that Islamophobia is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness and perceived Muslimness.
The University of Edinburgh is committed to embedding equality and diversity across all of its work, and understands the vital role we have to play in ensuring an inclusive environment for all of our students and staff.
There are various events and resources being made available to staff and students throughout November to promote the key messages and aims of Islamophobia Awareness Month.
Events
"Muslim Female Leadership and Authority”
Date: 12 November (Zoom) Time: 17:00-18:45
Hosted by the Alwaleed Centre For The Study Of Islam In The Contemporary World. This round table brings together practitioners and researchers from across the globe to reflect on the following: what questions should we ask in our research on female religious leadership and why? What theories, concepts and frameworks do we engage with and what do they tell us about female authorities? How do we ensure that our research matters and is relevant to female religious authorities?
Sign up on Eventbrite.
“Islamophobia: Causes & Cures”
Date: 19 November (Zoom) Time: 20:00-21:00
The Islamic Society (IsocEd) are hosting an event to explore and discuss Islamophobia. This will be an online presentation followed by questions and discussion. The IsocEd Facebook page will have more details in the coming weeks, so make sure to visit their page.
Islamophobia Awareness Presentation for HR staff
Date: 1 December (Microsoft Teams) Time: 10:00-10:45
This presentation, hosted by Umar Malik from Human Resources, is being delivered as a learning and awareness raising opportunity for all HR colleagues. The presentation will include an insight into Umar’s background as a Muslim growing up in Scotland, what Islamophobia is, micro-aggressions and media negativity. By raising the awareness of Islamophobia with our HR colleagues, they will be able to better support and inform our wider staff community.
Resources
- Short animations exploring the reality of anti-Muslim prejudice and hate crime in Scotland (The Alwaleed Centre)
- Scottish Muslims in Numbers (Alwaleed Centre)
- Public Inquiry into Islamophobia in Scotland
- Islamophobia Awareness Month resources
- RaceEd