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Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Times
Officially defining Islamophobia endangers freedom of speech
Professor Steven Greer worked at Bristol University for 36 years as an expert in human rights law before his career was ruined. The 68-year-old faced a false accusation in 2020 from the university's Islamic Society alleging he had made Islamophobic remarks. The complainant had not attended Mr Greer's teaching module, yet alleged he had made discriminatory remarks. In reality the lecturer had merely spoken of the Islamist attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine. The complaint against Mr Greer went nowhere, until Bristol's Islamic Society launched a social media campaign against the lecturer. It falsely claimed he had mocked Islam and the Quran. A pile-on ensued with a petition calling for his sacking garnering 4,000 signatures. Mr Greer felt so intimidated by the online anger that he went into hiding, venturing out only in disguise. He sincerely believed his life was in danger. • Islamophobia row academic: I wore a disguise. Better ridiculous than dead Bristol University initiated an inquiry and, five months later, he was exonerated after an independent assessor from another department concluded it was a storm over nothing. The lecturer went on sick leave and has since retired but, rightly, he is not letting the matter rest. In an interview with this newspaper today, he accuses his former employer of failing to protect him. By scrapping Mr Greer's module on 'Islam, China and the Far East' following its inquiry, Bristol University has demonstrated institutional cowardice, as well as humiliating Mr Greer. Alas, there is a precedent here. Kathleen Stock, a professor of philosophy at Sussex University, was driven out for her views on sex and gender. Eventually an investigation by the Office for Students led to Sussex being fined £585,000 for its failure to protect freedom of speech. If the OfS is to fulfil its duties as a protector of freedom of speech on campuses, it must urgently investigate whether or not Bristol offered Mr Greer appropriate protection. Mr Greer's case is instructive as the government considers a formal definition of Islamophobia. Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, instigated a working group earlier this year following a rise in reports of anti-Muslim hatred. The working group claimed that any definition 'must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression'. Yet the mere instance of a definition creates a bar for free speech to be measured by, especially if a commissar is created to adjudicate on it. Although the group has pledged to engage 'widely', there are concerns about its findings becoming a foregone conclusion. According to the Policy Exchange think tank, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, which promotes its own definition of Islamophobia, has claimed that stating that those involved in grooming gangs were predominantly of Pakistani origin is Islamophobic. Yet that is exactly what Baroness Casey of Blackstock concluded in her recent report into such gangs. Equally troubling is the fact that the working group, led by Dominic Grieve, a former attorney general, has endorsed the parliamentary group's work. Given the ongoing debate on grooming gangs, with a national inquiry due, the government would be wise to halt its work on an Islamophobia definition. The danger to free speech is too great, as is the danger of more cases arising like that of Mr Greer. Strong laws against racial hatred already exist. There is no need for more.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Catholic Community Services calls for unity following ‘hate crime' at Salt Lake City mosque
SALT LAKE CITY () — Catholic Community Services Utah (CCS) and Masjid Al Noor (Noor Mosque) have called for unity and understanding following what they described as a 'hate crime' at Noor Mosque in Salt Lake City. On June 3, a man was caught on video attaching a flag with split designs of the Israeli and American flags to Noor Mosque. No one was harmed and no property damage was reported, but it was reported to Salt Lake City Police and the FBI. In a press release from Aden Batar of Catholic Community Services and Dr. Salman Masud, former president of the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake, they wrote: 'While no physical damage was done, this incident was clearly intended to provoke and intimidate our congregation, and we believe it should be investigated under bias crime statutes due to its targeted nature and context. The act has understandably caused distress in our community—particularly among our congregation of international students, many of whom already live with a sense of vulnerability.' PREVIOUSLY: Man hangs Israeli and American flag on mosque in Salt Lake City The release praised Utah for its spirit of hospitality as a place where people of all faiths can coexist peacefully, and they called to reaffirm a commitment to 'dialogue over division' and 'connection over suspicion.' 'We believe strongly that houses of worship should not become fortresses, but rather sanctuaries of reflection, welcome, and conversation,' the press release said. Noor Mosque is going to be hosting a community open house and interfaith forum with the goal of encouraging 'bridge-building and mutual understanding' in the coming weeks, though they have not set a date yet. 'We invite our neighbors of all backgrounds to stand with us in affirming the values of dignity, peace, and justice for all,' CCS wrote in the press release. Catholic Community Services calls for unity following 'hate crime' at Salt Lake City mosque Utah man pleads guilty to attempting to hire hitman while behind bars in 2020 Senator Lee responds to the Trump-Musk feud Chrysler at 100: Plans for a bold comeback Wyoming state senator proposes eliminating property taxes Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Memri
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Hamas Flags Waved at 'Rally to Defend Bay Ridge' in Brooklyn, Protestors Chant: 'We Don't Want No Zionists Here!' Activist Raja Abdulhaq: Gaza Has Shown Us the Way for Resistance - We Need to Reinvent
Hamas flags were raised at the 'rally to defend Bay Ridge and Palestine' that was held in front of the Islamic Society of By Ridge, Brooklyn on February 26, 2025, and some participants wore Hamas headbands. Abdullah Akl, and employee of MAS Staten Island Center, who spoke on behalf of Within Our Lifetime, said that 'Zionism is an enemy to people, here and across all the world.' Malik Hassan, the executive director of MAS Youth Center led a chant: 'The Zionist is the enemy of Allah!' Hassan has participated in the anti-Israel encampment in Columbia University in April 2024. Another chant leader was Mahmoud Kasem, owner of the local Al-Aqsa Bakery. Raja Abdulhaq, the co-founder of Quds News Network and a frequent speaker at MAS centers in New York, urged participants to follow the sacrifice and resistance of the people of Gaza. 'Um Obeida,' an activist dressed in military fatigues and a keffiyeh face covering - in the style of Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades' spokesman Abu Obeida - waved a Hamas flag. A female representative of CAIR NY also spoke at the rally. The rally broke up for prayer at the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge twice throughout the evening, and a man sporting an Abu Obeida hoody and Hamas headband was seen praying inside the mosque. The rally was organized by Within Our Lifetime, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) NY, PAL-Awda, Muslim American Society (MAS) New York, Palestinian Youth Movement, Mamas 4 a Free Palestine, and others.
