University halls targeted with anti-Muslim graffiti (Update: Further graffiti reported)

UPDATE 27/01/2015: A further incident of anti-Muslim graffiti has been uncovered at the University of Birmingham, with a message reading “Kill Islam before it kills you” discovered in the ladies toilets of the Guild of Students. That a second incident has followed the first so quickly is deeply concerning, and the university authorities must act […]

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Uthman Lateef to speak at University of Birmingham

With the Spring Term barely underway after Christmas at many universities around the country, Student Rights has already logged a number of events featuring extreme or intolerant speakers. As well as tonight’s event at SOAS, this week has seen Wasim Kempson, who has publicly expressed support for a convicted terrorist, invited to speak at the […]

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Divisive speakers to address students at SOAS

Entitled ‘The Rise of ISIS: Origin and Reality’, an event at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) on Friday will feature speeches by Abdullah Al-Andalusi and Muhammad Dilwar Hussain. Given their previous output on the subject, it is likely that the speakers will focus on blaming the West for the group’s rise and […]

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Anti-Muslim comments reported to police at LSBU

The response to the recent targeting of London South Bank University (LSBU) Islamic Society’s Facebook page with anti-Muslim messages highlights how online hatred can be dealt with. On 1st January Student Rights found an individual had posted publically on two links shared by the Islamic Society, claiming that “Islam is a cancer” and “All Muslims […]

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Far-right threat halts Islamophobia conference

This weekend the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), an organisation with a history of support for violent extremists, was due to hold a conference on Islamophobia at Birkbeck College. However, the event has now been forced to relocate after far-right extremists threatened to target the event. The conference details were publicised on the far-right Casuals […]

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‘Ten years of HHUGS’ highlight off-campus concerns

This weekend the charity Helping Households under Great Stress (HHUGS) will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a gender segregated event at an unannounced London venue. Promoted on Facebook by the Islamic Societies at Kingston University and the University of Westminster, this shows how online networks can expose students to extreme groups and individuals. HHUGS encouraged […]

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Extreme events show extent of campus issue

The announcement last week by the Home Secretary of new measures to combat extremism on campuses was welcomed here at Student Rights. Theresa May confirmed new laws will make dealing with extremist speakers a legal duty for universities and colleges, ensuring it is taken seriously by institutions. However, as media attention moves on, Student Rights […]

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Tommy Robinson’s invite to Oxford causes controversy

With the issue of extremist speakers on university campuses in the news, tonight the former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson will speak at the University of Oxford. Originally due to address the Oxford Union on 23 October before being returned to prison, Robinson’s invite has caused controversy, with anti-fascist groups calling for him […]

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New measures take campus extremism seriously

The announcement today from the Home Secretary of new powers designed to challenge the ability of extremists to target students is welcome evidence that the issue is being taken seriously. A bill due to be published on Wednesday will mandate that universities, as well as schools and colleges, have policies in place to deal with […]

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Interfaith events host intolerant speakers

Three events over the next week at Durham University, the University of Northampton, and Cardiff University, highlight the ease with which extreme speakers can find platforms on campus. These events, interfaith debates on a variety of topics, all advertise speakers with a history of intolerant views. The first event, this Friday at Durham University, features […]

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