Islamophobia Awareness Month
Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) is a campaign founded in 2012. It aims to raise the positive contributions of Muslims and raise awareness of Islamophobia in society.
Islamophobia refers to unfounded hostility towards Islam. It refers to the practical consequences of such hostility in unfair discrimination against Muslim individuals and communities, and to the exclusion of Muslims from mainstream political and social affairs.
The month-long campaign takes place every November and this year the theme is ‘Muslim Stories’.
The goal of this year’s campaign is to facilitate connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds, including both Muslims and non-Muslims, using the transformative power of storytelling.
How we're taking part
This year, we're encouraging the University community to share stories and spark meaningful and engaging conversations to raise awareness of Islamophobia.
The Centre for Inclusion & Diversity will be running events with ISOC society, Union of Students, Muslim faith advisor, Race Equality Staff Forum (RESF) and UoB/Well.
If you have any questions, would like to be part of the month, or would like some support, email equality@bradford.ac.uk.
What we're doing in 2023
Throughout November, we're running a number of events to raise awareness and support our students and staff.
There will be an 'Islamophobia Exhibition' located in Richmond Atrium and Student Central, showcasing positive Muslim contributions in the UK and the issue of Islamophobia in various aspects of society. Come along and take a look, ask questions, try on a hijab (female headscarf) and enjoy some snacks with us.
Creative workshops: Women in Islam
Various dates in November 2023.
The workshop organised by Dr Aicha Bahij, Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology and the Muslim Faith Adviser, is open to all women, to share, hear and ask questions as well as making postcards reflecting identities.
The event is open to staff and students at the University.
Register and learn more about the workshops.
Open panel discussion
15 November 2023 - 1pm to 3pm.
Location: Student Central, Student Central Mall
This open panel discussion is organised by the Union of Students at the University of Bradford (UOB) with representation from West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Hate Crime Alliance.
The panel will discuss issues of Islamophobia and micro aggressions, talk about experiences and what the University and local community agencies can do to improve Muslims experience.
The event is open to all staff and students of University of Bradford.
Thinking through Islamophobia: in conversation with Salman Sayyid
30 November 2023 - 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Location: University of Bradford, Richmond Building, JSB Lecture Theatre, Floor D and Online
This event is organised by the Race Equality Staff Forum and the Centre for Inclusion and Diversity (CfID) and engages with Professor Salman Sayyid, one of the most prolific and compelling academics to explore the salience of Islamophobia and what it can tell us about the relationship between contemporary society and politics. In this informal and accessible public event, Dr Yunis Alam, Head of Department, Sociology and Criminology and the Co-Chair of the Race Equality Staff Forum at the University of Bradford, will be exploring a range of contemporary social, cultural and political issues with Salman, including Islamophobia. The conversation between Salman and Yunis will be followed by an opportunity for audience members to ask questions.
This hybrid event is open to all.
Muslim stories
The University of Bradford will be sharing stories of our Muslim staff and students to spark meaningful and engaging conversations to raise awareness of Islamophobia.
If you would like to be featured in a video or produce a written piece, email equality@bradford.ac.uk.
Our Muslim faith advisor
Dr Aicha Bahij, who is part of the Chaplaincy Service, is the Muslim faith advisor at the University of Bradford. If you are a member of staff or a student, find out more about the Chaplaincy Service on SharePoint.
You can contact the Muslim faith advisor or any of the other Chaplaincy Team for advice, guidance and support or just need to talk to someone.