Arzu Merali

Cambridge Alumni, Faculty of English, Alumna

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Editor, The Long View
Co-founder, Islamic Human Rights Commission www.ihrc.org.uk.
Member of Editorial Board for 'Decolonizing the Mind' series, Amrit Publishers.
Former editor-in-chief, Palestine Internationalist.

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Michaelle Tuz-Atkinson

University of Lethbridge

Katherine Bullock

University of Toronto

Fareed Khan

York University

Sawsan Jaber

Nawal Al-sheikh

Palestine Technical University - Kadoorie

Mariam Durrani

American University

Mohamed El Metmari

Abdelmalek Essaâdi University

Rohini Hensman

Kleanthis Kyriakidis

Hellenic Open University

Inés Bolaños Somoano

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Papers by Arzu Merali

30/04/2024, 21:46 We need to talk about Julia Hartley-Brewer

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Circling around extremism again in the UK – so what?

ArzuMerali.com, 2024

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Countering Islamophobia in the UK

Countering Islamophobia in Europe, 2019

This chapter identifies ten key dominant Islamophobic narratives and the ten key dominant counter... more This chapter identifies ten key dominant Islamophobic narratives and the ten key dominant counter-narratives to Islamophobia operating in the UK. Islamophobic narratives were found to fix Muslims collectively as, in descending order of prevalence, a threat to security, unassimilable, a demographic threat, an Islamisation threat, a threat to local, national and European identity, responsible for excessive women’s oppression, essentially different and violent, incomplete citizens and a risk to the majority, and essentially homophobic.

European Islamophobia Report 2016

27 country reports on the state and development of Islamophobia/anti-Muslim racism by 31 scholars

Is “Vicarious Retribution Model” Sufficient to Analyse Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes?

Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 2020

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La cooptación del feminismo islámico en el euro-islam y la pérdida de la liberación

Tabula Rasa, 2014

este artículo sostiene que ha habido un cambio definitivo y negativo en la trayectoria del llamad... more este artículo sostiene que ha habido un cambio definitivo y negativo en la trayectoria del llamado feminismo islámico. este cambio se ha efectuado en gran parte en escenarios occidentalizados, en particular como parte del creciente discurso del euro-islam, el islam europeo, la indigenización del islam, etc., que es un discurso que viene no solamente de los gobiernos (aunque es replicado, aplaudido y recompensado por los gobiernos de la región), sino de la sociedad civil, los activistas y los intelectuales musulmanes mismos. este artículo propone parámetros para el uso del término «feminismo islámico» sin dejar de reconocer lo problemático del mismo. el artículo concluye con una revaluación del proyecto feminista islámico en ciertas formas como un proyecto que ha sido secuestrado y usado para subvertir la meta de la liberación femenina en sí y de las mujeres musulmanas en particular negando a las musulmanas -y en consecuencia a todas las mujeres de color o a quienes se expresen en oposición política a las normas y políticas nacionales o internacionales de Occidente-el derecho a definir sus propios términos de liberación. Palabras claves: feminismo islámico, asimilación, teologías de la liberación.

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France and the Hated Society;Muslim Experiences

New Citizens for Old: How Islamophobia makes Contemporary Germany

The Long View, 2021

As narratives of belonging get narrower and narrower, Arzu Merali argues that Germany provides bo... more

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Decentralising US Western Violence from Muslim Expectations Notes from a Future Reader.

The Long View, 2022

If we really want to get beyond the ‘War on Terror’, argues Arzu Merali, we need to stop thinking... more

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Only Canadian; The Experience of Hate moderated citizenship for muslims

Journalism in the Time of Trojan Horse

IHRC, 2022

Arzu Merali reflects on Serial's podcast series of the infamous affair that resulted in a societa... more

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Hindsight in 2020 US think tanks and the deterioration of Muslim civil society space IHRC

The Long View 2:1, 2020

The promise represented by the emergence of Muslim civil society activism in late 1980's Britain ... more The promise represented by the emergence of Muslim civil society activism in late 1980's Britain has failed to translate into effective political agency. In fact, if anything, it has regressed under the weight of internal contradictions, powerful external opposition, and the absence of principled strategies. Arzu Merali explores how Muslims can get back on track.

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New Citizens for Old: How Islamophobia makes Contemporary Germany

The Long View 3:2, 2021

As narratives of belonging get narrower and narrower, Arzu Merali argues that Germany provides bo... more As narratives of belonging get narrower and narrower, Arzu Merali argues that Germany provides both worrying precedents as well as ways to move beyond the arguments that to be a citizen in the current age means to be and believe only one thing. If this were a story or a play, there would need to be a prologue of some sort. Setting the scene for the story to unfold would be the introduction of citizenship tests in the 2000s. It demands respondents check the right boxes on issues such as homosexuality, 'allowing' girls to wear what they want, date who they want and so on. Shift scene. A doctor politely declines to shake the hand of the woman passing him his certificate of naturalisation. The presentation was simply a formality-a celebration of this particular batch of 'new citizens'. It is 2015. The doctor has scored the highest in his citizenship test-presumably the same or similar to those above. The Baden-Württemberg courts would later agree that he had an 'impeccable record of integration' after arriving in Germany as a medical student in 2002. In 2020, those courts found that the decision to strip him of his citizenship, based on that one act, was sound. Why? The judgment, made in the middle of a pandemic that forbids the shaking of hands, or even standing within two metres of each other, was done so on the basis that the doctor had seen the bureaucrat's hand as "posing the threat of sexual seduction." He explained that his refusal was based on a promise he made to his wife when they married and swore never to shake anyone's hand ever again, whether male or female, to please the court, but it mattered not a jot.

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The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Women’s Institute (Ministry of Equality), the Madrid Autonomous Community, Casa Árabe, and Fundación Pluralismo y Convivencia Casa Asia hosted, in cooperation with Junta Islámica Catalana (JIC) and with the collaboration of

The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Women’s Institute (Mini... more The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Women’s Institute (Ministry of Equality), the Madrid Autonomous Community, Casa Árabe, and Fundación Pluralismo y Convivencia Casa Asia hosted, in cooperation with Junta Islámica Catalana (JIC) and with the collaboration of the United States Embassy in Spain and the Iranian Embassy in Spain, the fourth congress on “Islamic Feminism” from October 21 to 24. The organizers placed the emphasis of the proceedings on the analysis of the present status of the movement and future perspectives. They sought to understand the reasons for opposing Islamic feminism – on the part of both nonMuslims and Muslims – and to seek ways to appropriately counteract such trends. The congress attempted to explore the potential of Islamic Feminism to change the experiences of Muslim women in the different contexts in which they face discrimination.

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The British media and Muslim representation : the ideology of demonisation

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form ... more All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereinafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

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All Quiet on the Western Front – the Loss of Radical Islamic Feminism at the Hands of Euro-Islam

This paper contends that there has been a definitive and negative change in the trajectory of so-... more This paper contends that there has been a definitive and negative change in the trajectory of so-called Islamic feminism. This change has been effected in large part in the West , as part of the growing discourse of Euro-Islam, European Islam, indigenization of Islam, etc., a discourse that comes not from governments (though it is mirrored, applauded and rewarded by governments in the region) but from Muslim civil society, activists and intellectuals. The characteristics of this change include: the move from expressing a universal but co-operative form of ‘feminism’ to a particularist one; the unusual aspect of that particularism as an expression of mutedness as opposed to empowerment, as a form of enclosure and ringfencing rather than an expression of solidarity or an attempt to work / speak / understand co-operatively; a positioning of this ‘feminism’ within an enlightenment rather than a critical and / or decolonial normative framework; an implicit rejection of liberation in favo...

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Hijab, meaning, identity, otherization and politics : British Muslim women

... We would also like to acknowledge Nikki Afzal, Musthak Ahmed, Sanjida Akhtar, Fahad Ansari, M... more

The Co-option Islamic Feminism into Euro-Islam and the Loss of Liberation

This paper contends that there has been a definitive and negative change in the trajectory of so-... more This paper contends that there has been a definitive and negative change in the trajectory of so-called islamic feminism. This change has been effected in large part in Westernized settings, in particular as part of the growing discourse of euro-islam, european islam, indigenization of islam, etc. which is a discourse that comes not from governments (though it is mirrored, applauded and rewarded by governments in the region) but from Muslim civil society, activists and intellectuals. The paper sets out parameters for the use of the term ‘islamic feminism’ whilst acknowledging it to be a problematic term. The characteristics of this change include: the move from expressing a universal but cooperative form of ‘feminism’ to a particularistic one; the unusual aspect of that particularism as an expression of muteness as opposed to empowerment, as a form of enclosure and ringfencing rather than an expression of solidarity or an attempt to work / speak / understand co-operatively; a positi...

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Secular or Islamic? What schools do British Muslims want for their children?

Taylor and Francis Ltd CBSE_A_195798.sgm 10.1080/01425690600958899 British Journal of Sociology o... more Taylor and Francis Ltd CBSE_A_195798.sgm 10.1080/01425690600958899 British Journal of Sociology of Education 0142-5692 (pri t)/1465-3346 (online) O ginal A tic e 2 06 & Francis 7 5 000November 2 6 Lou eArch louise. rcher@k l ac.uk British Muslims’ expectations of the government: Secular or Islamic? What schools do British Muslims want for their children? A.R. Ameli, A. Azam & A. Merali, 2005 London, Islamic Human Rights Commission £7, 82 pp. ISBN 1-903718-27-9

A multidimensional model of understanding Islamophobia

30/04/2024, 21:46 We need to talk about Julia Hartley-Brewer

Download

Circling around extremism again in the UK – so what?

ArzuMerali.com, 2024

Download

Countering Islamophobia in the UK

Countering Islamophobia in Europe, 2019

European Islamophobia Report 2016

27 country reports on the state and development of Islamophobia/anti-Muslim racism by 31 scholars

Is “Vicarious Retribution Model” Sufficient to Analyse Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes?

Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 2020

Download

La cooptación del feminismo islámico en el euro-islam y la pérdida de la liberación

Tabula Rasa, 2014

Download

France and the Hated Society;Muslim Experiences

New Citizens for Old: How Islamophobia makes Contemporary Germany

The Long View, 2021

As narratives of belonging get narrower and narrower, Arzu Merali argues that Germany provides bo... more

Download

Decentralising US Western Violence from Muslim Expectations Notes from a Future Reader.

The Long View, 2022

If we really want to get beyond the ‘War on Terror’, argues Arzu Merali, we need to stop thinking... more

Download

Only Canadian; The Experience of Hate moderated citizenship for muslims

Journalism in the Time of Trojan Horse

IHRC, 2022

Arzu Merali reflects on Serial's podcast series of the infamous affair that resulted in a societa... more

Download

Hindsight in 2020 US think tanks and the deterioration of Muslim civil society space IHRC

The Long View 2:1, 2020

Download

New Citizens for Old: How Islamophobia makes Contemporary Germany

The Long View 3:2, 2021

Download

The British media and Muslim representation : the ideology of demonisation

Download

All Quiet on the Western Front – the Loss of Radical Islamic Feminism at the Hands of Euro-Islam

Download

Hijab, meaning, identity, otherization and politics : British Muslim women

... We would also like to acknowledge Nikki Afzal, Musthak Ahmed, Sanjida Akhtar, Fahad Ansari, M... more

The Co-option Islamic Feminism into Euro-Islam and the Loss of Liberation

This paper contends that there has been a definitive and negative change in the trajectory of so-... more This paper contends that there has been a definitive and negative change in the trajectory of so-called islamic feminism. This change has been effected in large part in Westernized settings, in particular as part of the growing discourse of euro-islam, european islam, indigenization of islam, etc. which is a discourse that comes not from governments (though it is mirrored, applauded and rewarded by governments in the region) but from Muslim civil society, activists and intellectuals. The paper sets out parameters for the use of the term ‘islamic feminism’ whilst acknowledging it to be a problematic term. The characteristics of this change include: the move from expressing a universal but cooperative form of ‘feminism’ to a particularistic one; the unusual aspect of that particularism as an expression of muteness as opposed to empowerment, as a form of enclosure and ringfencing rather than an expression of solidarity or an attempt to work / speak / understand co-operatively; a positi...

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Secular or Islamic? What schools do British Muslims want for their children?

A multidimensional model of understanding Islamophobia

Secular or Islamic: What Schools do British Muslims Want for their Children?

BMEG, 2005

The report is the third in the series British Muslims’ Expectations of the Government. It aims at... more The report is the third in the series British Muslims’ Expectations of the Government. It aims at producing a study of the reality behind detracting claims concerning faith-based schools and religion and Islam on a broad scale. The report addresses the critique of faith schools, that they are divisive and foster fundamentalism, the issue of underachievement among Muslim students and the experience of bullying and isolation felt by Muslim students in schools. Additionally, the report seeks to extract the positive implications of parents’ international human rights to determine their children’s education. The issue of state-funding of Muslim schools, their benefits and current standing, as well as a comparison of funds allocated across a range of myriad other faith schools is also addressed.

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Dual Citizenship: British, Islamic or Both? — Obligation, Recognition, Respect and Belonging

BMEG, 2004

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form ... more All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereinafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

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Social Discrimination: Across the Muslim Divide

BMEG, 2004

This report examines how such discourses create a sustained atmosphere that eventually leads to t... more This report examines how such discourses create a sustained atmosphere that eventually leads to the normalisation and increase of discrimination in everyday life, and even in the operation of new policy and the creation of new law. It uses data on discrimination gathered as part of the British Muslims’ Expectations of the Government project, as well as interviews and case studies to highlight not only the rise and pervasiveness of discrimination against Muslims, but its varying and worrying nature. From sophisticated and subtle exclusion to violent attacks, discrimination is becoming part of the life landscape for Muslims in the UK.

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Environment of Hate: The New Normal for Muslims in the UK

Revealing the findings of the 2014 survey of Muslims in the UK and comparing them with the result... more

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Social Discrimination: Across the Muslim Divide

by Saied Reza Ameli and Arzu Merali

B Br ri it ti is sh h M Mu us sl li im ms s' ' E Ex xp pe ec ct ta at ti io on ns s o of f t th h... more B Br ri it ti is sh h M Mu us sl li im ms s' ' E Ex xp pe ec ct ta at ti io on ns s o of f t th he e G Go ov ve er rn nm me en nt t Social Discrimination: Across the Muslim Divide S Sa ai ie ed d R R. . A Am me el li i M Ma an nz zu ur r E El la ah hi i A Ar rz zu u M Me er ra al li i www.ihrc.org.uk 2 20 00 04 4 P Pu ub bl li is sh he ed d b by y I Is sl la am mi ic c H Hu um ma an n R Ri ig gh ht ts s C Co om mm mi is ss si io on n

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What's Up With Liberal Democracy and Multiculturalism?

The video of the talk at the 'Multiculturalism, cultural rights, public freedoms and integration'... more

What's up with Liberal Democracy and Multiculturalism? Transcript from: Open Discussions / Gulf Cultural Club Multiculturalism, cultural rights, public freedoms and integration

by Arzu Merali and Tahir Abbas

The transcript of the panel discussion involving Professor Tahir Abbas and Arzu Merali on 13 Sept... more The transcript of the panel discussion involving Professor Tahir Abbas and Arzu Merali on 13 September 2016

VIDEO here: https://youtu.be/cKHx6ZkCuzE?t=20m51s

Mutliculturalism has become one of the testing grounds of modern liberal democracy and is facing enormous challenges. The recent flare up of Islamophobia and the confusion surrounding Muslim women dress, in addition to the PREVENT programme are real challenges to pluralism and inclusiveness. Yet integration is often presented as the lacking element in the minds of Muslims residing in the West. These multiple facets of the human-habitation need to be studied if proper evaluation of the ideological foundations of the modern world is to be understood. These issues will be addressed by the panelists.

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What now for Europe? The instrumentalisation of the Paris attacks

Merali discusses the impact of the Charlie Hebdo kilings on the UK.

Living as a Social Being - the Interconnectedness of Being

Arzu Merali speaks at the ALICE Colloquium in the University of Coimbra in 2014 on Islamic framew... more

Islamophobia, Diversity and the Crisis of Democracy

Merali and Dr. Salman Sayyid address a side panel at the United Nations in 2014.

Feminismos islámicos

by Sirin Adlbi Sibai and Arzu Merali

Compilación: Ramón Grosfoguel Feminismos islámicos Chapter by Sirin Adlbi Sibai: El hiyab en la ... more

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Is "Vicarious Retribution Model" Sufficient to Analyse Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes

Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 2020

This study aims to scrutinise the implementation of a “vicarious retribution model” on anti-Musli... more This study aims to scrutinise the implementation of a “vicarious retribution model” on anti-Muslim hate crimes and suggests that despite its advantages, the model is not sufficient to provide a clear picture of hate crimes alone and needs a supporting model such as “the domination hate model of intercultural relations” (DHMIR) to give it a historical and socio-political context. Whilst a rigorous model of analysis, the “vicarious retribution model,” has been co-opted by institutions to explain the rise in hate crimes based on the assumption that the U.K. (and other countries investigated) have only experienced Islamophobia in the post 9–11 context. The IHRC surveys in the U.K. in 2010 and 2014, the occurrence of Brexit, and the post-referendum spike in hate crimes belie some of the foundations of the applicability of this model. Therefore, the study is an effort to understand anti-Muslim hate crimes through the use of the “vicarious retribution model” and the DHMIR.

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