Islam and phobia are two words that placed together, have never made sense to me. Being Muslim, is a fundamental part of who I am. It is what influences my humanity, my choices, my joy and my hope and faith.

Phobia is only ever something I associated with October spider season and Year 7 Geography for my first attempt at abseiling and realising the instruction “lean back” off a cliff face, wasn’t a vibe for Shemsah!

As I walk underneath our University’s iconic archway, or over some of the 76,000m² of floor space in the Nancy Rothwell building, Islamophobia isn’t the thing I want to think about, but I know I have to. As I see friends, colleagues and students the morning after an attempted attack at my family’s mosque during Ramadan this year, Islamophobia isn’t the thing I want to think about, but I know I have to.

Defined properly, Islamophobia refers to prejudice, discrimination, or hostility directed at Muslims or those perceived as Muslim*. It’s rooted in racism and targets expressions of “Muslimness.” This definition, supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, helps us tackle Islamophobia more effectively.

*Muslim Council of Britain

Why Islamophobia matters at Manchester?

It’s more than just offensive remarks, a weird look, or a dismissive comment in a meeting, it’s a form of bigotry that largely presents itself as hate crimes, media bias, and institutional discrimination. It has to matter at Manchester and calling it out has to matter on our campus, because it’s not who we are and it’s not how we do things. At a time when parts of our world are imploding, making sure the stirrings and incitement of division and hate are challenged with conviction and courage, really matters now.

Our humanity in Manchester is about sticking up for each other, checking in for another brew and sharing the magic of being a Mancunian. Let’s never stop.

By Shemsah Farooq – International Relations Officer

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