Fighting racism with education: UL research project launches tools to combat anti-Muslim hatred

A University of Limerick research project is using innovative educational training to support the fight against anti-Muslim hatred in Ireland.

The Sustainable Alliances Against Anti-Muslim Hatred (SALAAM) project – led by Dr James Carr, Associate Professor in Sociology at UL – aims to combat anti-Muslim hatred through the development and dissemination of tools such as anti-racism training and a support directory, in conjunction with local authorities.

Funded by the European Commission, SALAAM has been developed in partnership with civil society organisations Doras, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, and the Irish Network Against Racism. Underpinned by the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan (2020-2025), along with other key legislative and policy developments, SALAAM aims to complement the work of other EU-based civil society actors, working with local authorities and communities in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

Among the resources developed in close collaboration between the SALAAM project team, their partners, and the participating local authorities is a Directory of National and Local Anti-Racism Support Services. Although the directory can be used by anyone affected, it was primarily developed to support local authority staff who require further information or referral supports for individuals or communities experiencing racism.

Following the launch of the SALAAM project, Dr James Carr said: “I have always believed that it is crucial that we take learnings and insights developed in academic research outside the academy, and into our work with strategic partners and the broader public domain. As an initiative designed to challenge anti-Muslim racism, a range of outputs were designed to do just that. 

“Working with partner local authorities and civil society organisations, and those directly impacted by this phenomenon, we designed anti-racism training resources that informed on how racism operates as a social process and, importantly, what people can do to combat racism and support those targeted.”

Dr Carr and his team also rolled out the Know Your Rights campaign arm of the project, seeking to educate communities and individuals about the existing policy measures in place to promote inclusion in Ireland – The Equal Status Acts 2000-2018, the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017, and the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty (Public Sector Duty).

Similarily, the Anti-Racism Training for Local Authority Staff in Ireland forms a key element of the SALAAM training resources. Informed by research involving multiple local authorities as well as experiences from Muslim communities in their service areas, this training has been designed to raise awareness of existing legislation and support mechanisms while also addressing the root causes and manifestations of racism. 

Importantly, SALAAM has been rolled out in partnership with Muslim communities in each participating city, with this inclusive approach ensuring the work is informed by the perspectives of those targeted with anti-Muslim hatred.

Some of these perspectives have been captured in striking artwork by illustrator Soufeina Hamed, a Berlin-based artist who creates comics related to the topics of identity, racism and Islamophobia. Soufeina brought these first-person accounts of anti-Muslim hatred to life in a series of powerful illustrations, which can now be viewed on display as part of the SALAAM project exhibition. 

Dr Carr explained: “Taking the SALAAM project even further, working with a wonderful creative, we also produced exhibitions and campaign materials titled: ‘SALAAM stories’ that brought the realities of anti-Muslim racism to the attention of the general public; demonstrating the impact of racism on members of our society, and how they can be supported.”

For further information, visit the SALAAM project website.

The SALAAM Stories exhibition is currently on display in Eden Restaurant, Main Building, University of Limerick.