In November 2017, in response to evidence of Islamophobia on campus, the NUS Women’s and Black Students’ campaigns undertook research to understand the experiences of Muslims in Britain in further and higher education. This report outlines those findings and recommendations that arose from them.
Based on the Muslim Students’ Survey that was launched in 2017 as part of Islamophobia Awareness Month and developed in consultation with Muslim student representatives from both higher and further education and the
Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), the survey comprised questions with defined, multiple choice answers as well as opportunities to add comments
This report draws on the 578 responses to the survey among UK-based Muslim students, of whom 82% were
UK citizens. It pays particular attention to the impact of the Prevent counter-extremism strategy, stating that it “significantly affects … engagement opportunities for Muslim students”.
A large portion of Muslim students, 43% of the one-third of the total surveyed, reported being affected by Prevent felt “unable to express their views or be themselves”.
These students said they were less less involved in student democracy, and felt unsafe to express views or engage in political debates and action.
The research also revealed Muslim students’ responses relating to hate crime, hate incidents and abuse, as well as broader issues relating to under representation at student governing body levels.
Read the report HERE.
Related Resources
- Islam on Campus: Perceptions and Challenges Facing Muslims in the UK (Report, 2020)
- The Prevent Duty in UK Higher Education: Insights from 157 FOI Requests (Report, 2020)
- The Open Society Justice Initiative’s Eroding Trust (Report, 2016)
- Preventing Education: Human Rights and UK Counter-Terrorism Policy in Schools (Report, 2016)
