Student leader suspended in row over Islamist debate

Middlesex University has suspended the president of its student union and revoked his studentship until further notice after he refused to cancel a debate with the controversial Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

The union was ordered to cancel the debate at the end of last week but refused, with the president of the student union, Keith Shilson, arguing that it should be allowed on the grounds of freedom of speech. He claims the group, which is considered by some to be extremist and was proscribed by the prime minister last month, is a non-violent organisation.

Yesterday, Mr Shilson was escorted from the campus by university security in what is believed to be the first disciplinary action to be taken against a student over the issue of extremism.

Hizb ut-Tahrir has been banned by the National Union of Students (NUS) because, according to NUS policy, the group is “responsible for supporting terrorism and publishing material that incites racial hatred”.

But last term Middlesex student union overturned the NUS ban and Mr Shilson invited representatives of Hizb ut-Tahrir to give the Q&A session on September 28 at the union’s Hendon campus, which has the highest population of Muslim students.

The university stepped in at the end of last week to order the cancellation of the debate, following a speech by the education secretary, Ruth Kelly, in which she said that vice-chancellors would have to crackdown on extremism on campuses.

The university confirmed that Mr Shilson was yesterday suspended until further notice and that the reason was his refusal to comply with the university’s demands over the debate.

In a statement today, the union said: “In light of recent events and the press releases from MUSU [the student union] and Middlesex University regarding the invitation to Hizb ut-Tahrir for a debate at the Hendon campus. Middlesex University student union has withdrawn its invitation to the speakers of the debate and the debate is cancelled.”

The union is expected to meet today to decide what action it will take.

Related News Articles Topic(s): Islam Read Another Religion News Article Latest headlines: RNB Homepage RNB Quick Takes: Religion News in Brief Subscribe to Religion News Blog updates Subscribe to Religion News Blog [What is this?] Subscribe only to this topic: Islam Get Religion News Blog's headline by Email [What is this?] Follow Religion News Blog at Twitter Find Related Information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults Find Related Books Islam Most Popular RNB Articles Today

---

Religion Search Engines:   • Religion News    • Christian Apologetics Search    • Counter Cult Search

---

Search Religion News Blog

More Religion Search Engines:

Counter Cult Search: Search for information about (religious) cults, cult-like organizations, -- as well as paranormal-, New Age, and pseudoscientific claims -- across 260+ websites, blogs and forums dedicated to cult research, spiritual abuse, ex-cult counseling & support.

Apologetics Search: Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs.