Islamophobia
Anti-Muslim sentiment is nothing new, ranging from everyday hate speech and discrimination to more extreme activism like the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019. The complex and multifaceted phenomenon of Islamophobia has become a major issue in many parts of the world, especially in the wake of terrorist attacks carried out by individuals or groups claiming to act in the name of Islam.
Join our panel for a deep dive into the historical roots of Islamophobia, the role of the media in perpetuating anti-Muslim sentiment, the impact of counter-terrorism policies on Muslim communities, and the intersection of Islamophobia with other forms of discrimination, such as racism and xenophobia.
What strategies might there be for promoting tolerance, understanding, and respect for all individuals and communities? Our special guests, hailing from all corners of the globe, include Sudanese-Australian writer and broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Iranian-American author Reza Aslan, Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, and UK-based analysts Hassan Abdein and Salman Sayyid.
About the Academics
Hassan Abdein
Hassan A. Abdein, Ph.d is a senior advisor to Unitas Communications. He is also a consultant in mediation and conflict resolution and has extensive experience working with multilateral organisations in the fields of advocacy for refugees, minorities and religious freedom. Hassan held senior roles in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and worked on OIC-UN efforts to tackle intolerance, discrimination, incitement to violence against people on the basis of religion or belief.
Salman Sayyid
Salman Sayyid is a Professor of Rhetoric and Decolonial Thought and Head of the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds. He has authored major publications, including Recalling the Caliphate, now in its second edition published by Hurst in 2022, and leads a pioneering research programme on Critical Muslim Studies. Sayyid is the founding editor of ReOrient: The Journal of Critical Muslim Studies, and his work has been translated into nearly a dozen languages.
About the Speaker
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.
About the Author
Reza Aslan
Reza Aslan is an internationally acclaimed writer, producer and scholar of religions. A recipient of the prestigious James Joyce Award, Aslan is the author of three internationally bestselling books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. Aslan’s latest book, An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville, was longlisted for the 2023 PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography.
About the Chair
Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Yassmin Abdel-Magied is a Sudanese-Australian writer, broadcaster and award-winning social advocate. Abdel-Magied trained as a mechanical engineer before becoming a full-time writer and broadcaster in 2016. She published her debut memoir, Abdel-Magied’s Story, with Penguin Random House at age 24, and followed up with her first fiction book for younger readers, You Must Be Layla, in 2019. Abdel-Magied’s critically acclaimed essays have been published in numerous anthologies, including the best-selling It’s Not About the Burqa and The New Daughters of Africa. After hosting the internationally released documentary, The Truth About Racism, she created Hijabistas, a series looking at the modest fashion scene in Australia. Abdel-Magied is also a regular contributor to the BBC, the popular Guilty Feminist podcast and media outlets and literary festivals around the world.
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