Baroness Warsi to discuss new book on Muslim communities in Britain at SOAS

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a former member of The House of Lords and first Muslim to serve in the British cabinet, will be visiting SOAS University of London on 4 December to discuss her new book, Muslims don’t Matter.

The book is an informative look into Muslim communities across the country and seeks to challenge collective stigmas, antagonistic behaviour, violence, and hatred that has occurred in recent times. The campaigner and lawyer, Baroness Warsi, sheds a light on racial prejudice found in the government and uses her dual experience centred within British politics and in the heart of Muslim society in the UK to challenge the rhetoric. 

Muslims don’t Matter is a follow up to Baroness Warsi’s 2017 book The Enemy Within: A Tale of Muslim Britain. The book received high praise as a must read for Autumn 2024 by The Daily Telegraph and was celebrated for being a poignant and emotive work by actor Riz Ahmed, Daily Telegraph columnist Suzanne Moore, and historian and writer David Olusoga. Baroness Warsi urges all to seek change in course both politically and through society, to unite and dismantle the status quo.

Led by Dr Suriyah Bi, Lecturer in Islam in Britain at SOAS, the talk will also be followed by an audience Q&A and an opportunity receive a signed copy of the book. 

Speaking on the importance of the event, Dr Bi added: “Baroness Warsi’s work is a timely contribution to the realities Muslim communities face particularly in the current political and social landscape where anti-immigration rhetoric is growing. 

Our discussion will create a space for conversation on racial and religious biases, with the hope it can contribute to creating a clearer path to change, understanding and unity.”

Find out more and register for the upcoming discussion, taking place on 4 December.