In June, Student Rights spoke to the Sunday Times about a leaked report commissioned by the University of Westminster which had found serious concerns about the university Islamic Society. With the report being released this month, the story has now been covered in the Guardian, focusing on the society’s “ultra-conservative” views, as well as the […]
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MEND events promoted to students
With the general election fast approaching there have been several articles in recent weeks which have revealed attempts to gain political influence by organisations connected to extremists. This afternoon, an event at the University of Manchester will host one such group, as Yusuf Thai of Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) addresses students on Islamophobia. Meanwhile, […]
Continue readingAfsana Kayum and online extremism at UEL
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 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 readingAnti-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 […]
Continue readingFar-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 […]
Continue reading‘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 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 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 […]
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