Western Resistance

« Russia: Devout Muslims Try to Reignite Jihad in North Caucasus | | Italy: Leading Right-Wing Politician Wants Islam Taught in Public Schools »

November 18, 2006

UK: Muslim Fanatics On 25 Campuses

Last September, Professor Anthony Gees, who is director of the Brunel Center for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS) published a report through the right-wing think-tank the Social Affairs Unit, which stated that Islamic radicals were operating in 24 Universities across Britain.

His report warned then that University authorities were "ignoring the problem". His report dealt with Islamic Jihadist, but also listed animal rights activists and the British National Party. The BNP is hardly associated with bombings or acts of terror, in the same way as Islamists or animal rights fanatics.

Glees said to Radio 4 last year: "There is a culture of extremism and terrorism on Britain's campuses. It may not be very large in number but you do not need very large numbers of people in order to do terrorism and the university authorities have simply ignored the problem."

A spokesperson for Universities UK (UUK) said: "Universities UK has noted the report by Professor Glees. It appears to us that the report is based largely on anecdotal evidence and that university authorities were not involved or consulted in its preparation."

Following publication of his study last year, Glees found himself the target of a campaign of intimidation by university heads. Glees' boss at Brunel University, vice-chancellor Steven Schwartz, wrote him a letter, which stated: "Some (university vice-chancellors) complain about your research methods. Others seem to resent being lumped in with universities that might be inadvertent homes to people bent on terrorism. One v-c seems to think that I should (or could) shut you up."

In the year which has intervened between first publication of his report for the Social Affairs Unit, apparently little has been done to combat Islamic fundamentalism on campuses. Last month, Glees repeated his claims of radicalization at UK universities. One imam, chaplain of London Metropolitan University since 2002, Sheikh Musa Adami, runs a group called the Luqman Institute of Education and Development, which aims to steer radicals back to the fold of "moderate Islam".

One of his proteges is Jawad Syed, who became indoctrinated by radicals at Professor Glees' university, Brunel. In his first year, Syed knew no-one but was befriended by Muslim students. Gradually, they encouraged him to isolate himself from other students, including Muslims. He said: "They were very much anti-western with anti-western sentiments. And I clearly saw and experienced that they would use any means to achieve their aims, including violence."

His associates would discuss news events, but always in terms of confrontation. "Once they've established that basis of hatred they have you. And then you start working closely with them, under their political agenda, in achieving their greater aim," Syed claimed.

In today's Telegraph, Professor Glees has repeated his claims that 25 campuses (an increase on last year) have been infiltrated by fanatics who are recruiting for Jihad.

Glees' comments come at the same time as a 20-page report has been issued by the Department of Education and Skills which warns of the jihadist threat, and urges lecturers to report Muslim students whom they suspect of extremism.

An earlier draft of the report urged university staff to report concerns about "Asian-looking" or Muslim students to Special Branch. The report was leaked to the Guardian last month.

Wakkas Khan, president of FOSIS (Federation of Student Islamic Societies) claimed then: "It sounds to me to be potentially the widest infringement of the rights of Muslim students that there ever has been in this country. It is clearly targeting Muslim students and treating them to a higher level of suspicion and scrutiny. It sounds like you're guilty until you're proven innocent."

Last night, a spokesman for the Department of Education and Skills defended the report, stating: "This is not about spying on Muslims or targeting Muslim students. It is about improving community cohesion and responding to a small but real threat."

Universities UK president Drummond Bone said: "Not only is this unreasonable but it could be counterproductive."

The National Union of Students president, Gemma Tumelty, has said: "They are going to treat everyone Muslim with suspicion on the basis of their faith. It's bearing on the side of McCarthyism."

She additionally said: "All students have an interest in defeating terrorism, however, we are concerned that the steps that have been suggested may end up vilifying whole groups and communities."

The Telegraph presents a short video, in which the higher education minister, Bill Rammell spoke of the potential threat of radicalism on campuses. He states of the report's advice: "It is about all of us working together to identify and challenge what I think is a small minority who advocate extremism."

Professor Glees stated: "The guidance is a step in the right direction, but I don't think the threat has been taken seriously enough. From my research I would say this issue probably affects more than 25 universities, not the small handful they talk of. The fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan has radicalised many young men and I think an opportunity has been missed to take serious action against a very real threat."

The problem of radicalization on university campuses has been present for more than a decade, as we pointed out earlier. The genie of jihadism has been out of its bottle for so long, it will be hard for it to be contained.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 18, 2006 9:39 AM

Comments

Post a comment