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Simon Perfect

Simon is a Researcher at Theos. He is also a researcher and tutor at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), where he leads distance–learning courses exploring Muslim communities in Britain and in other minority settings. He is co–author of the book ‘Freedom of Speech in Universities: Islam, Charities and Counter–terrorism’ (Routledge, 2021).

Sharia law: What it is, what it isn’t, and why you should know

Simon Perfect unpacks the basics of Islamic law and explores the controversies around shari’a councils in Britain. 25/02/2019

Freedom of Religion, Islam, Law

Simon Perfect discusses extreme speakers at universities on Radio 4’s Sunday Programme

Simon Perfect discusses extreme speakers and whether or not their speeches at British universities are being properly monitored. 28/01/2019

A majority of people think schools are increasingly restricted in what they can say about religion

Simon Perfect examines new polling conducted for Theos about attitudes to Religious Education in schools. 05/12/18

Education, Religious Education

Q: Have European judges just banned defamation of the Prophet Muhammad? A: No.

People are claiming the European Court of Human Rights has just imposed a blasphemy law protecting Islam. It hasn’t, explains Simon Perfect. 26/10/18

Europe, Freedom of Speech, Islam

It’s time for the government to act on Religious Education

As Theos launches a new briefing paper about the future of RE, Simon Perfect calls on the government to listen to the RE community. 22/10/2018

Religious Education

The Future of Religious Education: Debating Reform

RE faces very significant challenges. This paper summarises a series of expert discussions about the subject’s future, hosted by Theos in 2017. (2018)

Education, Religious Education

Boris and his burka: Criticising his language is not restricting free speech

Boris Johnson’s language reproduces prejudices about Muslims. Calling him out is legitimate, not an attack on free speech. 09/08/18

Freedom of Speech, Islam

Why RE is in trouble and why you should care

Simon Perfect sets out the main challenges facing Religious Education today. Part 1 in our series on the future of RE. 26/06/18

Education, Religious Education

A surprisingly religious royal wedding: Bishop Curry’s uncivil religion

Bishop Curry’s subversion of England’s civil religion raises big questions about the direction of the Church, argues Simon Perfect. 22/05/18

Bishops, Britain, Future of Churches, Monarchy

Freedom of speech in universities: The government giveth and taketh away

The government has proposed forcing universities to do more to protect free speech. The proposals have big limitations, argues Simon Perfect. 28/10/17

Freedom of Speech, Universities