Muslims as a suspect community: a typology to support classroom discussions

The problematic, illogical, arguably unethical concept of ‘Muslims as a suspect community’ has been explored in the literature for over a decade, following early discussions. We seek to offer a novel set of questions and responses to the debate with the intention of offering a means by which fruitful classroom discussion can be facilitated. We set out the problem of regarding Muslims as a discrete community, consider the ascription of ‘suspect’ to the notion of a Muslim community, and discuss ways in which Muslims as a suspect community are accused of terrorist acts. From an analysis of the literature, policy initiatives, the role of the security services, educators, and the media, we have developed a typology of ‘Muslims as a suspect community’ which represents the intersectional layers of society’s views of tolerance, risk, and perceived risk. The typology is designed to enable teachers to approach complex discussions fruitfully by understanding how educational purposes and spaces might differ from those of government and security services. The shedding of ‘Muslimness’ and adoption of ‘least Muslim role’ is discussed through the typology which has evolved from within the British context and yet which has broader application.