Overview

This course provides a clear, accessible introduction to Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim hatred. It explores how it is defined, how it operates in everyday life, and the real-world impact on Muslim communities. Learners examine Islamophobia as a form of racism shaped by fear, stereotyping, and collective blame, and consider how seemingly reasonable concerns can slide into prejudice. Through reflection and real-world examples, the course invites participants to examine their own assumptions and biases, and equips them with practical tools to recognise Islamophobia, resist its narratives, and act as informed, effective allies.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how Islamophobia is defined in the UK context
• Recognise common stereotypes, tropes, and narratives about Muslims
• Distinguish between legitimate debate and Islamophobia
• Understand how fear, othering, and collective blame operate
• Recognise the everyday impacts of Islamophobia on the Muslim community
• Develop confidence to respond as informed and effective allies

Target Audience

This is a base course introducing a core inclusion and bias awareness topic. It can be taken as a standalone course or alongside Recognising and Responding to Antisemitism, which shares a similar structure and approach. It is suitable for inclusion within wider diversity, equity, and inclusion training programmes.