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 […]
Continue readingExtreme 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 […]
Continue readingTommy 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 […]
Continue readingNew 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 […]
Continue readingInterfaith 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 […]
Continue readingIslamophobia Awareness Month sees extreme speakers at SOAS
On Tuesday it was reported that an event called ‘Criminalising Islam’, featuring several extreme speakers, would be hosted at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) on 14 November. Part of Islamophobia Awareness Month, the talk will see Sulaiman Ghani and Abdullah Al-Andalusi discuss the “movement all across the globe towards the criminalising of […]
Continue readingFOSIS webinar hosts Uthman Lateef
On 26th October the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), an organisation which claims to represent mainstream Muslim students, hosted an online webinar featuring Dr Uthman Lateef. The webinar was promoted through the FOSIS London Twitter and Facebook accounts to students throughout the UK. It was further advertised on campuses through Facebook by student groups […]
Continue readingSWP motion shows importance of consistency
It has been reported this week that the Edinburgh University Student’s Association (EUSA) has withheld a motion to ban the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) from holding events and advertising on campus after an SWP legal threat. Sponsored by the university’s Feminist Society, the motion also intends to prevent the spread of the SWP by refusing […]
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