Islamophobia Awareness Month: November 2025

Islamophobia Awareness Month was founded in 2012 by a group of Muslim organisations, and has since grown into a globally-recognised campaign which aims to: 

• help people learn more about Islam and the positive contributions that Muslims have made (and continue to make) to society; 
• raise awareness of Islamophobia and the impact of Islamophobic hate crime; 
• suggest steps we can take to help our students and colleagues by challenging stereotypes and prejudices.   

The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Flipping the script’ - challenging narratives that misrepresent Muslims and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. 

Why mark Islamophobia awareness month?

Islamophobia – or the unfounded fear of, prejudice towards, or hatred of Muslims or perceived Muslimness – is a significant problem, with over 70% of young Muslims saying that they’ve experienced mental health struggles, and 7 out of 10 Muslims in the UK having experienced Islamophobia in the workplace [source: Islamophobia Awareness Month 2025 guide].

What positive actions can I take?

Lunch... and learn!

On Wednesday, 19 November, UCL Computer Science are hosting a ‘lunch and learn’ session for Islamophobia Awareness Month, with a panel of academics exploring identity, belonging, and social justice in contemporary society. Join us for a Q&A, lunch and networking – the event is open to all. Sign up to the Lunch and Learn here.

On Monday, 24 November, join us at our Islamophobia Awareness Month webinar (via Teams), organised by the Muslim Staff Network together with the official IAM campaign organisation. We'll be looking at key topics and concepts - all staff are welcome!

Be an active bystander

Students’ Union UCL’s Active Bystander Programme is the largest of its kind in the country, and over 50,000 students have attended the training. The programme aims to give students the knowledge and practical skills to be an Active Bystander in their community – that is, learning to be aware of others' behaviours and, when the behaviour is inappropriate, choosing to challenge it in a safe way. Staff are welcome to complete the online module of the training. 

Eda Yildirimkaya, Equity & Inclusion Officer from Students’ Union UCL, said:

I’m very worried about the rise of islamophobia in the UK. Islamophobic incidents are becoming more frequent, from overt racist attacks to the subtle and harmful way Muslim people are treated. We must all guard against this and work towards creating a society that welcomes, accepts, and includes everyone – regardless of faith or race. Two practical things I encourage you all to do – become an Active Bystander and put what you learn into practice. And secondly, report it – if you see or experience Islamophobic incidents use the Report + Support tool and file a report. Let’s make UCL a safe haven for people of all faiths and none.“

Network with your peers

For students:

Students’ Union UCL have a huge range of Clubs and Societies including faith and spirituality-based groups (e.g. Islamic Society, Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society, Ahmadiyya Muslim Students' Society) and interest-based groups (e.g. Muslimah Careers Society). Check out the full list here.

For staff:

Launched around 18 months ago, UCL’s Muslim Staff Network offers Muslim staff the opportunity to connect, form professional alliances, offer peer support, and engage in social and professional events. Currently comprising around 200 members, the network celebrates the valuable contributions of our members via social events, works to increase knowledge and dispel myths, offers regular drop-in sessions for colleagues to meet and share ideas, and above all provides a safe space for Muslim staff at UCL (for example, providing fellowship and support during riots and unrest in July and August of last year, following a fatal knife attack in Southport). 

We are looking to expand the number and type of events that we hold for the network over the coming months, and have received funding for a special Eid celebration event in March 2026 as part of UCL200, which will allow us to highlight and showcase Muslims at UCL whilst celebrating together. 

Amaani Master-Mohammed, Co-Chair of the Muslim Staff Network, said:

“This year’s theme, ‘Flipping the Script’, is about challenging the narratives that shape how Muslims are seen and ensuring our voices are heard on our own terms. The 85% increase in reported incidents from the most recent UCL report for Report + Support is a reminder of the work still needed to create a truly inclusive environment. Islamophobia Awareness Month is an opportunity for the UCL community to come together so that every Muslim student and staff member feels valued, represented and safe to be themselves.

Additionally, the UCL EDI Community of Practice (CoP) officially launched last summer and was set up to foster collaboration, connection and change across UCL by cultivating expertise, sharing best practice across the university and embedding excellent EDI work. If you have an interest in EDI issues, please do join the Team to be kept up to date with activity. 

If you see it or experience it – report it. 

It should go without saying that harassment, bullying or victimisation is not tolerated at UCL and is a breach of UCL’s Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy ,  UCL Core Behaviours Framework and Student Code of Conduct. 

If you experience or witness Islamophobia at UCL there are several options to raise this as an issue: 

• informal feedback to the individual who made the comments; or raising it with their manager or Personal Tutor; 
• making a report (which can be anonymous) using the Report + Support tool 
• seeking support from a Dignity at Work Advisor or Departmental Inclusion Lead, or talking to the UCL Interfaith Advisor. 

There is further information about reporting processes in UCL’s Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy   

All students have access to UCL's 24/7 Student Support Line for support with their mental health and wellbeing, and UCL staff and doctoral researchers can access confidential, 24/7 mental health support with our Employee Assistance Programme: Staff Support Service. 

Other ways to report Islamophobia, or seek support:

• The Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU) is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by Islamophobic incidents in England and Wales. 
• You can report hate crime to the police here. 
• Victim Support is an independent charity that supports victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. 

Find out more: guidance and information

For UCL students, our Faith and Belief pages contain information about prayer and meditation facilities, place of worship in London and UCL’s Religion and Belief Equality Policy. 

For UCL staff, information about religion and belief equality can be found here, including guidance for managers and specific guidance around supporting Muslim staff during Ramadan. As part of ongoing work to address all forms of discrimination at UCL and ensure that the experience of all our staff and students is inclusive, we are developing a Religion and Belief action plan, which will encompass new initiatives to address Islamophobia. 

More UCL resources for students

• Students’ Union UCL – Clubs and Societies 
• Students' Union UCL Active Bystander training 
• Faith and Belief at UCL 

More UCL resources for staff

• Muslim Network @ UCL: Find out more about UCL’s network for Muslim staff members 
• Quiet contemplation rooms in and around UCL 
• Religion and Belief Equality 

More information

• Islamophobia Awareness Month website and a guide to the 2025 IAM campaign 
• The Islamophobia Response Unit