Important contribution to #Prevent debate by leading academics Professor Alison Scott-Baumann, Dr Aisha Phoenix (@FirebirdN4), Professor @mathewjguest, Dr @ShuruqNaguib & Dr @Sariya_CC
Full report (evidence-based on >2k students across most UK unis): soas.ac.uk/representingis…
Some of the key points highlighted:
"Prevent doesn't stop students being radicalised. It just reinforces Islamophobia"
"The government says radicalisation is a problem in UK universities. But the evidence shows there’s self-censorship, not terrorism"
theguardian.com/education/2020…
'Prevent' counter-terrorism strategy is harming free speech on university campuses, says report
Anti-terror initiative 'creating culture of mutual suspicion between students and reinforcing negative stereotype of Muslims'
telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/1…
Students & staff self-censor to avoid becoming objects of suspicion & are sometimes discouraged from exploring, researching or teaching about Islam
Only 1/4 of those surveyed said they feel entirely free to express their views on Islam within university (cont. from above)
Prevent ‘reinforces negative views of Islam’ among students in UK timeshighereducation.com/news/prevent-r…
I found this line of the report very powerful:
"we have examined compelling evidence that belief in radicalisation as a problem in universities and agreement that Prevent is essential in tackling it are both strongly associated with negative views of Islam and Muslims"
The conclusions from this huge study appear to be that Prevent is not helpful, actually stifles free speech, and if you have negative views of Islam & Muslims, you are more likely to think Prevent (as it stands today) is "essential"
These align with previous studies & reports
Some important recommendations on Islamophobia, free speech & religious cohesion on campus.
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