Westminster University ‘postpones’ talk by anti-gay Muslim preacher
By Nick Bond
Westminster University has today ‘postponed’ a talk planned for tonight by an anti-gay Muslim preacher.
Sheikh Haitham Al Haddad, an advisor of the Islamic Sharia Council, had been invited to speak at the University on February 26, just one day before Student Pride is set to commence on February 27.
Haddad – who has been invited to speak by the University’s Islamic Society – has previously argued that homosexuality is a “criminal act,” defended men who physically abuse their wives and insisted that female circumcision is “proper”.
The booking caused a widespread backlash, including a petition from Westminster University’s LGBTI society calling on the University to cancel his appearance, saying that it’s “not possible to create a safe space for thousands of LGBT students if an Anti-gay preacher is allowed on campus a day before”. The petition has so far amassed almost 2,000 signatures.
The University last week defended the booking, a spokesperson telling Attitude that they were “committed to maintaining freedom of speech.”
However, the University today reversed their decision following the revelation that the ‘Jihadi John’ figure who appears as a masked executioner in Islamic State propaganda videos is Londoner Mohammed Emwazi, 27, a former student at Westminster.
Tweeting that tonight’s event has been ‘postponed due to increased sensitivity and security concerns,” the University issued the following statement:
“Alumnus Mohammed Emwazi, who left the University six years ago, is alleged to be involved in terrorist activities.
If the allegations of terrorist activity are true, we are shocked and sickened by the news. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
We have students from 150 countries and their safety is of paramount concern.
With other universities in London, we are working to implement the government’s Prevent strategy to tackle extremism.
We have set up a dedicated pastoral team to provide advice and support to our students.”