We will be live tweeting @AsimCP's book launch on this thread. To get your own copy log on to @ManchesterUP website here and get a 40% discount!

Buy your copy here >> https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526151476/ 

We're now live... @AsimCP begins by asking why this book and why are we talking about it? #Irefusetocondemn #Islamophobia #IAM2020

@AsimCP explains how this is from two powerful experiences: One he was asked by @jonsnowC4 to condemn on live TV and when CAGE director @AdnanRSiddiqui0 was told in a parliamentary committee hearing if 'you don't condemn then surely you condone'.

#Irefusetocondemn #Islamophobia

"In the different spaces we occupy and despite our diversity and difference, our humanity is predicated on condemning parts of our community so that we fit into a model of what is acceptable. This is what brings us all together" - @AsimCP #Irefusetocondemn #Islamophobia

@RemiJS90 begins by touching on the anxiety inducing effects of watching the news.

We hear about the violence of communities but never those in power.

@RemiJS90 We are told to condemn not to speak about over policing or our concerns but to to turn the discussion on us and derail our calls.

#Irefusetocondemn

@thebrownhijabi starts about what motivated her to write her viral poem "This is not a humanising poem".

After 5/6 drafts I realised was trying to prove myself, no one was asking me to condemn, but such is the pressure that I felt that I need to speak to that.
#Irefusetocondemn

@hodakatebi responds to @AsimCP's question on how her interview on fashion became one about Iran and nuclear weapons!

The broadcaster refused to publish it, I then felt that I have to. #Irefusetocondemn

Growing up in very conservative and white Oklahoma as the only Muslim made me used to responding to any question that is even tangentially linked to the middle east.

When Iraq was invaded I became Iraqi, when Afghanistan was occupied I became Afghani. - @hodakatebi

We've been pounded for so long to apologise and explain, so this is a breath of fresh air.

@fahadansari moves on to talk about how state violence manifests itself against lawyers who challenge the state.

@fahadansari mentions how lawyers submitted a case to remove a women's children on allegations of extremism and part of the 'evidence' was that this women tried to instruct me!

Such is the injustice is that you become affiliated with the views of your clients.

Islamophobia is a well funded economy its founded on the attribution of irrationality and collective guilt to these people.

@Lowkey0nline begins by raising the question has @HJS_Org ever condemned BAE systems for their role in the mass killings in Yemen?

The racism the problematising of communities, is incredibly seductive even to us... I attempt to give to young people language to be able to push back. - @aamer_rahman

Revolution washing by trying to use our faces and appearances so they can 'check the box' but not allowing our voices to come through.

@hodakatebi speaks about the essentialisation of Muslim identity and the acceptance of it in order to have a seat at the table.

@RemiJS90 There's plenty of people to act for the state but we're on the side who are harmed by the state, we're punching up not down.

@RemiJS90 It's incredibly powerful to have a diverse cabinet. They weaponise it and it insulates them from accusations of racism.

It's also important that we don't condemn our communities and we don't condemn other marginalised communities. #Irefusetocondemn #Islamophobia

@fahadansari recalls his first experience of refusing to condemn. It was his father (may Allah have mercy on him) who had a shop in an all white community in Ireland. He refused to condemn the outrage at Salman Rushdie and put everything on the line for that. #Irefusetocondemn

A growing concern is the restriction of social media reach when you views are deemed 'contentious'.

@Lowkey0nline speaks of the narrowing space for his content. We need to adapt what we do because of automation.

I am accountable to my community, to the people I have met. My loyalty is always going to be to them.

I've seen too much to say the pain and trauma I've seen is not real. I aspire to be a campaigner and activist before a musician. @Lowkey0nline

"Deep down people know about the hypocrisy of their positions and when you expose that it upsets them."

@aamer_rahman speaks about the liberal responses to his 'Punch a Nazi' sketch.

People want me rhetorically critical but don't want me to actually mean those things or stand by them

@thebrownhijabi speaks about the array of invites she has received.

We move on to audience Q&A's

We observe that those who vilify Muslims seems to present a ‘unified front’ and as though they all received a similarly worded notice to do so and language to use. Is this a valid perception?

@RemiJS90 responds by saying that may be the case but also these narratives are deeply rooted historically which explains how pervasive they are.

In response to a question about navigating spaces where racism exists @thebrownhijabi suggests that we find allies and people who can have your back in that space.

Book suggestions on internalised racism:

- Radical Skin, Moderate Masks by Yassir Morsi
- A Virtue of disobedience by Asim Qureshi
- Assata by Assata Shakur
- Locking Up Our Own
- Post Colonial Banter by @thebrownhijabi

- Black Bodies, White Gazes
- Autobiography of Malcolm X

@AsimCP concludes this thought provoking discussion by thanking all the panelists and attendees.

Again you can get your copy of "I refuse to condemn" for 40% (while the offer lasts) from here >> https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526151476/