Islamophobia Awareness Month: Muslim Stories
As we near the end of November we also near the end of Islamophobia Awareness Month, a month that recognises, celebrates, and shares the experiences of the Muslim community. The aim is to challenge and eradicate Islamophobia - highlighting barriers that Muslims face across all areas of life, tackling prejudice, hostility and hatred towards Muslims.
This year’s theme is #MuslimStories, facilitating connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds, including both Muslims and non-Muslims, using the transformative power of storytelling.
We’d like to recognise those student leaders that champion and advocate on behalf of their community. In particular the insight offered by our former President, Lila Tamea, an LJMU PhD Researcher and Tutor, who focusses her research on the Muslim Student Experience and recently showcased her findings on campus. Lila’s Masters study highlights important issues that Muslim students face, challenging us all, including JMSU, that we must continue to seek understanding and remove barriers to participation.
- 8% (~2,000) of our student community are Muslim
- Muslim students face barriers in accessing student finance and loans
- Muslim students face barriers in alcohol-led social settings reducing opportunities to feel fully included
- Muslims students experience challenges such as studying during key religious observances such as Ramadan and accessing prayer spaces on campus alongside studies
- Muslim students have reduced confidence in their representative structures to advocate fully on their experiences
On behalf of everyone at JMSU and LJMU, we would like to thank Lila for sharing this work on campus. The challenge is on us to ‘Talk, Learn, Ask, Advocate, Represent and Reflect’ on these experiences to further support our Muslim student community. JMSU is committed to doing this, and will work collaboratively with students and staff to create an action plan of support which we will share more information about in the coming months.
We know that numbers only tell half the story but we would love to hear more about lived experiences of our students. If you would be open to sharing your story in order to help us advocate and understand how we can improve the Muslim student experience please get in contact with us at studentsunion@ljmu.ac.uk
For more information on Islamophobia Awareness Month please visit: https://www.islamophobia-awareness.org/
For support on-campus visit: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/discover/student-support
For more information on LJMU’s support for faith and spirituality please visit: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/students/settling-in/spirituality
LJMU’s ISOC (Islamic Society) can be contacted via: https://www.jmsu.co.uk/groups/islamic-isoc-7da4
If you require further support advice or guidance as a Muslim or non-Muslim you can also contact LJMU’s Muslim Chaplain, Sheik Zane: z.m.abdo@ljmu.ac.uk
