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 Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:48 am Post subject: MUSLIM STUDENTS AND VIOLENCE |
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A third of Muslim students back killings
Radicalism and support for sharia is strong in British universities
Abul Taher
London Times
July 27, 2008
ALMOST a third of British Muslim students believe killing in the name
of Islam can be justified, according to a poll.
The study also found that two in five Muslims at university support
the incorporation of Islamic sharia codes into British law.
The YouGov poll for the Centre for Social Cohesion (CSC) will raise
concerns about the extent of campus radicalism. “Significant numbers
appear to hold beliefs which contravene democratic values,” said Han-
nah Stuart, one of the report’s authors. “These results are deeply
embarrassing for those who have said there is no extremism in British
universities.”
The report was criticised by the country’s largest Muslim student
body, Fosis, but Anthony Glees, professor of security and intelligence
studies at Buckingham University, said: “The finding that a large
number of students think it is okay to kill in the name of religion is
alarming.
“There is a wide cultural divide between Muslim and nonMuslim
students. The solution is to stop talking about celebrating diversity
and focus on integration and assimilation.”
The researchers found that 55% of nonMuslim students thought Islam was
incompatible with democracy. Nearly one in 10 had “little respect” for
Muslims.
In addition to its poll of 1,400 Muslim and nonMuslim students, the
centre visited more than 20 universities to interview students and
listen to guest speakers. It found that extremist preachers regularly
gave speeches that were inflammatory, homophobic or bordering on
antisemitic.
The researchers highlighted Queen Mary college, part of London
University, as a campus where radical views were widely held. Last
December, a speaker named Abu Mujahid encouraged Muslim students to
condemn gays because “Allah hates” homosexuality. In November, Azzam
Tamimi, a British-based supporter of Hamas, described Israel as the
most “inhumane project in the modern history of humanity”.
James Brandon, deputy director at CSC , said: “Our researchers found a
ghettoised mentality among Muslim students at Queen Mary. Also, we
found the segregation between Muslim men and women at events more
visible at Queen Mary.”
A spokesman for Queen Mary said the university was aware the preachers
had visited but did not know the contents of their speeches. “Clearly,
we in no way associate ourselves with these views. However, also
integral to the spirit of university life is free speech and debate
and on occasion speakers will make statements that are deemed
offensive.”
In the report, 40% of Muslim students said it was unacceptable for
Muslim men and women to associate freely. Homophobia was rife, with
25% saying they had little or no respect for gays. The figure was
higher (32%) for male Muslim students. Among nonMuslims, the figure
was only 4%.
The research found that a third of Muslim students supported the
creation of a world-wide caliphate or Islamic state.
A number of terrorists have been radicalised at British universities.
Kafeel Ahmed, who drove a flaming jeep into a building at Glasgow
airport last year and died of his burns, is believed to have been
radicalised while studying at Anglia Ruskin university, Cambridge.
Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, condemned
the study. “This disgusting report is a reflection of the biases and
prejudices of a right-wing think tank – not the views of Muslim
students across Britain,” he said. “Only 632 Muslim students were
asked vague and misleading questions, and their answers were wilfully
misinterpreted.”
Some of the findings amplify previous research. A report by Policy
Exchange last year found that 37% of all Muslims aged 16-24 would
prefer to live under a sharia system.
Baroness Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, said: “Violence,
or the incitement to violence, has no place on a university campus.”
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