Policy Area 7: Political Engagement
Introduction
While data shows a growing trend of Muslim engagement in the field of politics, there remain significant challenges Muslims face when operating within the political sphere. Ultimately, political parties must address structural barriers that exclude Muslims and other minority groups. Meanwhile, studies have identified PREVENT as contributing towards a deficit in civic engagement amongst Muslim students; impacting their ability to engage in certain discussions and deterring them from running for elected positions.[1] Furthermore, as recommended by the 2017 Citizens UK report, Missing Muslims, the Government must mend its “broken relationship”[2] with Muslim communities by reconsidering its policy of disengagement with credible mainstream Muslim organisations that have the trust and support of British Muslim communities.
Policy Pledges:
- Commit to proactively engaging and consulting with representative and grassroots organisations within British Muslim communities, including but not limited to Muslim Engagement and Development.
- Commit to recognising that Palestinian activism is a legitimate form of political dialogue and commit to protecting the rights of British Muslims to advocate and support Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
[1] “Our Research into the Experiences of #MuslimsInEducation” NUS Connect, March 18, 2018, https://www.nusconnect.org.uk/articles/our-research-into-the-experiences-of-muslimsineducation.
[2] Citizens UK, The Missing Muslims: Unlocking British Muslim Potential For The Benefit Of All, 2017, accessed 05.09.2019, https://www.barrowcadbury.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Missing_Muslims_Report_-full-report.pdf