University of Westminster: Stop ANTI-GAY preacher Sheikh Haitham Al Haddad speaking

OP

Article in the Independent from the last time he was invited

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/westminster-university-students-furious-after-controversial-islamic-preacher-booked-for-charity-dinner-talk-8939980.html

National Charity Week began in controversy after Westminster Islamic Society (ISOC) asked an anti-gay and anti-semitic Muslim scholar to give a speech to over 300 students.

ISOC had originally arranged for the moderate Wasim Kempson to come in as a guest speaker, but students were left confused after the controversial figure Sheikh Haitham Al-Haddad replaced Kempson less than 24 hours before the dinner.

Al-Haddad’s views on many subjects are outspoken to say the least. In a recent article published online with his name underneath it, entitled “Standing up against homosexuality and LGBTs”, the words “the scourge of homosexuality” are used, which is referred to as a “criminal act”.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 2

OP

https://www.change.org/p/university-of-westminster-stop-anti-gay-preacher-sheikh-haitham-al-haddad-speaking-on-campus/u/9742391

Petition to sign

Reply 3

According to this article he is pro FGM. How on earth could anyone think that this speaker is even vaguely appropriate?

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/anti-gay-preacher-speak-westminster-university-day-student-pride200215

I am not one for blocking speaker but this taking the ****.

Reply 4

OP

Original post by DiddyDec

According to this article he is pro FGM. How on earth could anyone think that this speaker is even vaguely appropriate?

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/anti-gay-preacher-speak-westminster-university-day-student-pride200215

I am not one for blocking speaker but this taking the ****.

I just can't believe the members of the ISOC though this was suitable at all

But then we commonly sees ISOC's hosting hate preachers so not sure why I'm shocked they are doing it again (Hell even the ISOC on TSR regularly post materials from know hate preachers and it's rare anything is done about it so perhaps they do it because no one seem willing to stop them.)

But it would be nice if just for once some members of the ISOC's found their voice on this and simply said NO.

Reply 5

Original post by PopaPork

I just can't believe the members of the ISOC though this was suitable at all

But then we commonly sees ISOC's hosting hate preachers so not sure why I'm shocked they are doing it again (Hell even the ISOC on TSR regularly post materials from know hate preachers and it's rare anything is done about it so perhaps they do it because no one seem willing to stop them.)

But it would be nice if just for once some members of the ISOC's found their voice on this and simply said NO.

My assumption is that the ISOC agree with his views. I can't see any other reason one would choose to ask a hate preacher to speak to them.

Reply 6

OP

Original post by DiddyDec

My assumption is that the ISOC agree with his views. I can't see any other reason one would choose to ask a hate preacher to speak to them.

Sadly I have to agree

It's just that I thought generally they were better than that

But good to see this making the news and the petition has 2500 sigs already and is being promoted everywhere

Reply 7

Falcatas

9

If he has been invited he should be allowed to speak.
You can't just ban people because you don't like what they say.

Reply 8

Original post by Falcatas

If he has been invited he should be allowed to speak.
You can't just ban people because you don't like what they say.

Actually you can. That is what the "No platform" policy is all about.

Reply 9

OP

Original post by DiddyDec

Actually you can. That is what the "No platform" policy is all about.

Quite.

Reply 10

OP

News has it the event is going to be crashed with loads of people with Mohammed Cartoons and the LGBT community are going to get down and dirty

Let see how he gets on with loads of gay people snogging each other at the back :biggrin:

Reply 11

anonwinner

19

You can disagree with people, but you shouldn't try to stop them from speaking...

Reply 12

JG1233

10

I cringed reading this article.

We are very quickly adopting a attitude if a majority (usually the left wing) don't like something, it should be just banned or censored. Whilst i don't agree with his message i also don't agree with a massive amount of people, doesn't mean i don't think they should be allowed to hold their views.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 13

al_94

14

What did he actually say about homosexuality? Are you not allowed to say you disagree with it?

Reply 14

Original post by al_94

What did he actually say about homosexuality? Are you not allowed to say you disagree with it?

He said that LGBT(I?) people are "evil" and a "scourge". That is hate speech.

Reply 15

OP

Original post by al_94

Are you not allowed to say you disagree with it?

Yes but you will be called an intolerant homophobic idiot and told to go away

Reply 16

OP