The BBC reports on a very worrying development at City University where the authorities have closed a Muslim prayer room after the Muslim students refused a demand to submit their Friday sermons beforehand for checks as to their ‘appropriateness’.
It is a ridiculous demand and a ridiculous closure. If the authorities at City University have any evidence that anything unlawful is being preached then they only have to refer the matter to the police who have the necessary authority to properly investigate and if necessary prosecute those involved in allegedly inciting religious or racial hatred. Instead, the City Uni authorities have acted in a very repressive and high-handed way against the Muslim students.
I wonder whether our free-speech advocates will speak out on behalf of the Muslim students and their right to freedom of speech?
It is really like something out of Orwell’s 1984. But wait. Guess who the BBC quote as saying that the Muslim students “need to give a bit more to the university” in this dispute? Yes – Usama Hasan of the Quilliam Foundation.
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“However, there has been quite a vicious and nasty history there.”- Usama Hasan
Given Usama Hasan’s history of vicious and nasty violent extremism, perhaps anything he wishes to say in public should be vetted by the authorities. Oh wait..
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