On Monday 16 March Afsana Kayum, a student at the University of East London (UEL), was jailed for 18 months for possession of a record containing information contrary to the Terrorism Act. This referred to a number of issues of Inspire, an online magazine published by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which were discovered […]
Continue readingExtreme events continue on campuses
The identification of former University of Westminster student Mohammed Emwazi as the Islamic State executioner ‘Jihadi John’ has led to increased scrutiny on the issue of campus extremism. With Haitham Al-Haddad due to speak at the university the same day Emwazi was unmasked, concern over extremists being invited to address students has been at the […]
Continue readingStudent anger at Haitham Al-Haddad invite (Update: Event cancelled)
UPDATE: Following revelations that the Islamic State militant known as ‘Jihadi John’ may be a former student of the University of Westminster called Mohammed Emwazi, the university announced that the event had been postponed “due to increased sensitivity and security concerns”. A petition calling for the University of Westminster to prevent the extremist cleric Haitham […]
Continue readingHizb ut-Tahrir activist to speak at SOAS
University should be a place for debate, where students can discuss ideas with their right to freedom of expression protected. However, all too often, events are hosted in which there is no such debate; where a panel of speakers with similar views are simply given an unchallenged platform. This can be seen in an event […]
Continue readingCampus Voice: Frankie said ‘Relax’ – Tell that to the New Puritans
Here at Student Rights we have often cited our belief that universities must have robust policies in place to deal with harassment or discrimination, and that a focus on equality and diversity is vital if institutions are to effectively challenge extremism. In this article, KCL lecturer Dr Niall McCrae gives his take on the issue […]
Continue readingThe Counter-Terrorism Bill and David Souaan
Following criticism from students and university staff, on Wednesday it was agreed in the House of Lords that an amendment would be made to the proposed Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill. This would mandate institutions to take into account their duty to protect freedom of expression when following new provisions to prevent students from “being drawn […]
Continue readingMarine Le Pen and the University of Oxford (Update: Event delayed by protest)
UPDATE: Up to 300 demonstrators are reported to have picketed this event in opposition to Marine Le Pen, with a small number forcing the event to be delayed for over an hour as they “came close to scaling the walls from the street outside”. Tomorrow, the leader of the French Front National, Marine Le Pen, […]
Continue readingLSE event exposes an inability to challenge extremism
Last Tuesday an event at the London School of Economics (LSE) saw a speaker allegedly glorify terrorist violence, while another claimed Israelis use rape as a weapon against Palestinians. Rana Baker, a writer for Electronic Intifada, was reported to have called the hijacking of aircraft by Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) member […]
Continue readingStudent society censored at University of Manchester
Earlier this week the Free Speech and Secular Society (FSS) at the University of Manchester planned to display a cover of Charlie Hebdo on its stall at the ‘Refreshers Fair’ in memory of those killed. However, the society was told by the student union that it could not display the magazine, as the fair “was […]
Continue readingIERA speaker appears at UCL despite ban
Last week Student Rights highlighted the continued promotion of Dawah training events held by the Islamic Education and Research Academy (IERA), and the effects they could have on students. IERA is currently barred from operating at University College London (UCL) – yet this has not stopped one of these events from being arranged on campus […]
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