November is Islamophobia Awareness Month

Islamophobia is the unfounded fear of, or prejudice or hatred towards, Islam and Muslims. 

Reports of Islamophobic hate crimes are on the rise across Europe, and HE institutions, including UCL, are aware of increasing levels of anti-Muslim sentiment. The statistics are sobering: 

• Home Office data ending March 2024 shows that 38% of religious hate crimes recorded by the police were against Muslims. 
• Over 70% of young Muslims in the UK who say they experience mental health struggles, also say they have been victims of Islamophobia. 
• 42% of Mosques experienced a religiously motivated attack in the last 3 years. 

[source: Islamophobia Awareness Month 2024 press release] 

This is not acceptable. 

Founded 2012 by a group of Muslim organisations, Islamophobia Awareness Month aims to help people learn more about Islam and the positive contributions that Muslims have made (and continue to make) to society, to raise awareness of Islamophobia and the impact that Islamophobic hate crimes have, and to suggest steps we can take to help our students and colleagues by challenging stereotypes and prejudices. 

The theme for 2024 is 'Seeds of Change’ – how small actions, such as starting a conversation or making an effort to learn more, can have a big impact. You can join in the national conversation using the hashtag #IAM2024. 

Safia Chaudhary, Chair of UCL’s Muslim Staff Network, says:

November is Islamophobia Awareness Month – an opportunity to learn more about yourself as well as check in with your Muslim peers, many of whom have been feeling increasingly worried and anxious or who have experienced acts of direct discrimination. Just like other forms of prejudice, Islamophobia should and can be challenged so that together, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone.

What to do if you experience, or witness, Islamophobia 

It should go without saying that any form of harassment or hate speech, including Islamophobia, is unacceptable at UCL and is a clear breach of the UCL Core Behaviours Framework and Student Code of Conduct.

If you experience Islamophobia at UCL there are several options to raise this as an issue: 

• informal feedback to the individual who made the comments; or raising it with their manager or Personal Tutor; 
• making a report (which can be anonymous) using the Report + Support tool 
• seeking support from a Dignity at Work Advisor or Departmental Inclusion Lead, or talking to the UCL Interfaith Advisor. 

There is also the option of pursuing resolution through UCL’s Policy on the Prevention of Bullying and Harassment. 

Students are also strongly encouraged to sign up for Students’ Union UCL’s Active Bystander Training, which aims to give students the knowledge and practical skills to be an Active Bystander in their community – that is, learning to be aware of others' behaviours and, when the behaviour is inappropriate, choosing to challenge it in a safe way. Staff are welcome to complete the online module of the training. 

All students have access to UCL's 24/7 Student Support Line for support with their mental health and wellbeing, and UCL staff and doctoral researchers can access confidential, 24/7 mental health support with our Employee Assistance Programme: Staff Support Service. 

Other ways to report Islamophobia, or seek support: 

• The Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU) is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by Islamophobic incidents in England and Wales. 
• You can report hate crime to the police here. 
• Victim Support is an independent charity that supports victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. 

UCL resources for students 

• Students’ Union UCL – Clubs and Societies (there are various Muslim Societies) 
• Faith and Belief at UCL 
• Active Bystander training – Students' Union UCL

UCL resources for staff 

• Muslim Network @ UCL: Find out more about UCL’s network for Muslim staff members 
• Religion and Belief Equality

More information 

• Islamophobia Awareness Month website and a guide to this year’s IAM campaign
• The Islamophobia Response Unit