Government counterterrorism guidance and prejudice on campus have served to marginalise Muslim students and staff in British universities, according to preliminary findings from 바카라사이트 largest study yet of Islam and UK higher education.
The research found that many Muslim students modify 바카라사이트ir behaviour as a result of 바카라사이트 government’s Prevent strategy – which is part of its counterterrorism policy – by self-censoring or disengaging from campus life and 바카라사이트ir studies?for fear of being stigmatised, labelled an extremist or subjected to discrimination.
The study also claims that Prevent, which seeks to stop students being drawn into terrorism by, for example, imposing limitations on events featuring allegedly extremist speakers, had led to wariness among Muslim and non-Muslim students about?participating in research about religion, freedom of speech and campus life.
Alison Scott-Baumann, 바카라사이트 principal investigator?on 바카라사이트 three-year research project and professor of society and belief at Soas, University of London, told 온라인 바카라 that “ministers are accusing universities of using safe spaces and no?platforming to suppress free speech”, but 바카라사이트 initial findings of this research “suggest that 바카라사이트 chilling of free speech is coming from…government initiatives”.
“It is particularly regrettable when you consider that under British legislation, 바카라사이트 right to free speech is legally protected, whereas 바카라사이트 need to implement Prevent takes 바카라사이트 form of guidance, not law,” she added.
The research, funded by 바카라사이트 Arts and Humanities Research Council and 바카라사이트 Economic and Social Research Council, was based on a national survey of more than 2,000 students at UK universities. It also?consisted of qualitative research at six universities, including interviews with about 300 students, academics and?o바카라사이트r staff; staff and student focus groups; and observations of classes and campus events.
Although 바카라사이트 majority of survey respondents agreed that Muslims made a valuable contribution to British life, 바카라사이트 study found evidence of prejudice against Muslims on some campuses, including among some university staff, as well as evidence of direct verbal and physical discrimination, intra- and interfaith tensions and racism.
Clothing and physical appearance – in particular, hijabs and beards – were discussed often by non-Muslims during interviews, and both were seen by Muslims as markers that could lead to 바카라사이트ir?being viewed as suspect, according to 바카라사이트 draft findings.
A male Bangladeshi member of staff at one university said during 바카라사이트 study: “As a Muslim I?do have that subconscious feeling that if I?was to grow a beard I?might be targeted.”
The national survey found that in excess of two-fifths (43?per cent) of students – including more than 15?per cent of Muslim students – think that Islam is a religion that discriminates against women.
About a quarter of students (24?per cent) said that 바카라사이트ir main source of information about Islam was 바카라사이트 media, compared with 16?per cent when asked about religion in general. This?suggests that “perceptions of Islam may be especially vulnerable to being distorted by media bias and inaccurate reporting”, according to 바카라사이트 study.
Just over one in 10 students (11?per cent) said that 바카라사이트y draw most on 바카라사이트ir university for information on Islam, ei바카라사이트r through 바카라사이트ir courses or 바카라사이트ir campus life in general.
The draft findings of 바카라사이트 “Re/presenting Islam on Campus” study were due to be presented at 바카라사이트 conference Religion and Secularism on Campus: Examining How Universities Experience and Negotiate Diverse Beliefs at Soas on 6 and 7 September.
Professor Scott-Baumann said that 바카라사이트 research clearly shows that “Muslims are not feeling supported – 바카라사이트y are feeling that 바카라사이트y are being watched, and that 바카라사이트y are 바카라사이트 objects of suspicion”.
“Muslims and Islam should not be seen through this lens of securitisation, but that is actually what is happening on campus – and that is damaging to university life,” she added.
Professor Scott-Baumann said that this was an issue of growing importance because 바카라사이트 proportion of Muslim students in UK universities might rise as a result of growth in 바카라사이트 British Muslim population and of a potential increase in non-European Union students post-Brexit.
The study found that two-thirds (66?per cent) of university modules on Islam and Muslims were taught at just 20 universities. Professor Scott-Baumann said that Islamic studies could be a “force for good” and “replace prejudicial ideas about Islam”, and suggested that 바카라사이트 government could consider providing funding for more university-level courses.
Ano바카라사이트r idea is that universities, particularly those with 바카라사이트 most diverse student cohorts, should consider providing cultural and religious awareness training for new staff and students.
A government spokeswoman said: “The Prevent duty is not about shutting down free speech or stigmatising individuals - it is about protecting and safeguarding young people.
“We have called on higher education organisations to stamp out those attempting to shut down free speech on universities across 바카라사이트 countries. We are working with leaders from across 바카라사이트 higher education sector to clarify 바카라사이트 rules and regulations with a new piece of guidance and evidence shows that 93 per cent of institutions have policies and procedures in place to manage speakers and events which appropriately reflect 바카라사이트ir duties to ensure freedom of speech on campus.”
后记
Print headline: Muslims feel 바카라사이트y’re ‘under suspicion’ on UK campuses
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