The suspect citizen: Institutional Islamophobia, prevent, and the British Muslim experience

Abstract

This article examines British Muslim experiences of the UK’s Prevent counter-terrorism strategy, drawing on 18 qualitative interviews in London and Birmingham. It argues that Prevent contributes to the racialisation and securitisation of Muslims, reinforcing their image as a ‘suspect community’, which aligns with existing critiques of counter-terrorism policies being discriminatory and Islamophobic. However, the study emphasises the diversity within Muslim responses, identifying reactions of rejection, justification, and ambivalence, thus moving beyond monolithic portrayals. It highlights how intersectional factors such as race, gender (particularly for Muslims of colour and veiled women), and socio-political context shape these interactions. Furthermore, the research challenges simplistic state-versus-community views by acknowledging variations in how Prevent is implemented locally and recognising the agency of Muslims in negotiating and resisting the policy. This study advocates for refining the ‘suspect community’ concept through an intersectional, context-sensitive lens that captures internal diversity and lived complexity.