Description
Islamophobia isn’t just a slur or a spike in hate crime — it’s a system. From counterterrorism policy and surveillance to media narratives and foreign wars, Muslims are routinely positioned as threats.
This panel examines how Islamophobia is being mobilised today in the UK and across the globe. Who gains from it, and how is it being challenged? What does it take to confront it at its roots — not just in rhetoric, but in power structures?
In an age of rising nationalism and global instability, is Islamophobia shaping the policies that divide us — and what do we risk if we don’t confront it?
About the Speakers
Naz Shah
Naseem Shah is a British Labour Party politician. She was elected at the 2015 general election as Member of Parliament for Bradford West, winning the seat from George Galloway of the Respect Party. She has served in the Opposition frontbench since 2018, currently as Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction.
Tasneem Chopra
Tasneem Chopra OAM is an Australian cross-cultural consultant, celebrated keynote speaker, writer, and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
With academic credentials including a Bachelor’s in Psychology & Sociology (Swinburne University) and a Master’s in International Development (La Trobe University), Tasneem serves as an Adjunct Fellow at Victoria University, was appointed inaugural Ambassador for Women of Colour Australia and awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2020 for services to community diversity leadership.
Miqdaad Versi
Miqdaad Versi has a degree in Mathematics at the University of Oxford. He is Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain and a member of the Muslim Leadership Group for the Citizens Commission on Islam. He leads much of the MCB work on counter-terrorism. He has media experience with broadcast and print media, including Newsnight, The Times and Al-Jazeera English amongst many others, and is a contributor to The Guardian’s online comment section “Comment is Free”.
About the Chair
Saeed Khan
Saeed Khan is a cultural historian and commentator based at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he teaches in the departments of History and Global Studies. His academic expertise includes Islamic and Middle Eastern history, Islamic political thought, and transnational identities. Alongside his academic work, he is a frequent analyst for international media outlets. Saeed is the founder of the Center for the Study of Trans-Atlantic Diasporas, a policy institute focused on ethnic and immigrant communities in North America and Europe.
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