Prevent Strategy - openDemocracy

I am a Muslim, not a terrorist

The UK Government's Extremism Taskforce report came out yesterday, containing recommendations that will simply further stigmatise Muslim communities. A drastic change in how we talk about "terrorism" is needed, not to mention counter-terrorism policies based on the risks we actually face.

By Imran Awan

/ 5 Dec 2013

Time to end exceptional security policies targeting Muslims: they don't work

Contemporary counter-terrorist policies often discriminate directly or indirectly against Muslims, as the recent case of Abu Qatada illustrate. This bias produces counter-productive effects.

By Open democracy

/ 28 Feb 2012

No section of British society should be treated with suspicion

Many Muslims living in the UK today feel like 'conditional Britons'. As the Coalition reinvigorate the flawed counter-terrorism strategy 'Prevent', the former secretary general of Muslim Council of Britain discusses the demonisation of his community

By Open democracy

/ 24 Jun 2011

Campus counter-terrorism: student-led or top-down?

The issue of counter-terrorism in Britain's universities has been raised again as the government finally publishes its review of the 'Prevent' strategy. The director of British Muslims for Secular Democracy argues for a holistic approach.

By Open democracy

/ 16 Jun 2011

The fiery birth of the Prevent counter-terrorism strategy: England's Summer of Discontent, ten years on

As the UK government reviews its counter-terrorism, counter-radicalisation strategy, Jonathan Githens-Mazer and Robert Lambert argue that a panicked reading of the events of summer 2001 - the attacks on the twin towers and communal riots in the north of England - have set the tone of a divisive an

By Open democracy

/ 3 Jun 2011

Two arrests, a suspension, accusations of Islamophobia: Nottingham University must submit to a public enquiry

A professor was suspended earlier this month after publicly criticising the University of Nottingham's actions three years ago, over the arrest of a student and staff member on terrorism charges. Ryan Gallagher states the case for a public enquiry into the arrests of Sabir and Yezza, both released

By Open democracy

/ 13 May 2011

Should Britain work with 'extremists' to prevent terrorism? Where do we draw the line?

The controversial 'Prevent' strategy, that aims to stop terrorism before it occurs by working with Muslim communities, is now under review. The government have signaled that 'Prevent' will no longer work with 'non-violent extremists', but who will they place under that category, and how will we kn

By Open democracy

/ 16 Mar 2011