Who is Welcome? Islamophobia, Migration Policy and Discourse

The Ukrainian conflict and the responses it elicited triggered a long-overdue discussion about how race and religion intersect with immigration and refugee policies. Commentary such as “Ukraine isn’t a place like Iraq and Afghanistan” and “this is a civilised place” saturated both media and political narratives, further exemplifying the Islamophobia that is embedded in our views of conflict and wars across the globe. Rising Islamophobia and the rapid ascent of anti-Muslim hatred stemming from the ‘War on Terror’ and other elements of our fractured societies, are increasingly influencing how we understand and respond to conflicts that affect Muslim migrants and refugees. It has even prompted some to push for measures to stop the flow of Muslim immigration into Europe.

This event discussed how Islamophobia institutionally manifests itself through our policies and systems. Through their research and lived experience, the speakers explored the tight grip that Islamophobia exerts at a political and societal level.

Organised by Migrants’ Rights Network and MEND (Muslim Engagement and Development).