The University of Westminster has suspended any student union event that may be deemed “sensitive” in light of the recent identification of Mohammed Emwazi, the Islamic State extremist commonly known as “Jihadi John”. The decision was made after confusion arose surrounding an event, entitled Who is Muhammad?, originally scheduled for Thursday night which was to feature a controversial Islamic preacher. A campaign to ban Sheikh Haitham al-Haddad from speaking was sparked when he was accused of describing homosexuality as a “scourge” and a “criminal act”. More than 3000 people signed a petition against his speaking, but he argued that the topic of the event was not sexuality and he should be allowed to speak. It was later revealed that the university’s Islamic society had postponed the event over security concerns surrounding Emwazi’s identification.
On Friday, reports stated that the event had been rescheduled for Monday, but the university issued a statement denying that and stating that all sensitive events had been temporarily suspended.
The appointment of Haddad and other speakers has led to Muslim and LGBT groups arguing that the university is a target for hard-line Islamist students who are committed to intimidation towards gay and women’s rights campaigners as well as fellow Muslims who do not share their views. In contrast, Peter Tatchell, a leading gay-rights activist and speaker at University of Westminster, warns that such prejudice has nothing to do with the reputation of the university which is not extremist.
The university has tried to distance itself from Emwazi saying it was “shocked and sickened” by his identification and confirming that he studied at the University of Westminster.
Anwar al-Awlaki, a leader of al-Qaida, was killed by a drone strike in Yemen in 2011. Hizb ut-Tahrir member Jamal Harwood and Dr Khalid Fikry, who made speeches that impliedshia Muslims were in support of rape, werealso past speakers.
Former Westminster university student Yassin Nassari was imprisoned in 2007 for carrying plans for a rocket in his luggage when he was stopped by police at Luton airport. There is not enough data to classify if the university influenced Nassari’s way of thinking. According to the trial at Old Bailey, after a break in his studies, he came back wearing clothing that covered him from head to toe and calling himself “emir” of the student Islamic society.
In 2011, two senior members of the student union had links to extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is dedicated to the implementation of an Islamic state. The university attracted media attention again in 2012 when several jihadist videos were posted on the Islamic society’s Facebook page in support of al-Shabaab.
Despite the recurrent incidents, many students do not categorize the university as a place of radical Islamism. A student named Naj, who is currently studying law, stated that the term ‘extreme’ is volatile. Naj referred to herself as a Muslim and mentioned that there are liberal moderates as well as different conservative Muslims. According to Naj, the University of Westminster is not a hub of extremism, and the portrayal in the media is incorrect.
Graduate Haleema Abdullahi, who is 22 years old, and wore traditional Islamic clothing, argued that the university has a vast Muslim population which could be the reason for exaggerated views of extremism. Although Abdullahi condemned Jihadi John’s actions, she disagreed with connecting him to the university since he graduated six years ago. She argued that other extremists went to different universities, and it happens.
A language masters student who needed her identity concealed mentioned that the university’s Islamic society has worked towards inclusiveness despite some campuses having a large Muslim populace.
However, another student argued that the university was isolated between Muslims and non-Muslims. If one did not practice Islam, they would not be familiar with the community’s activities according to her.