The controversial Imam Dr. Zakir Naik is to speak at the Oxford Union via video-link this evening.
He was banned from the UK last year by Home Secretary Theresa May for “unacceptable behaviour”.
Naik, who had been holding talks in the UK for 15 years, is described by the Oxford Union as “one of the world’s leading Islamic orators and authorities on comparative religion.”
The website for Peace TV, of which Mr. Naik is a founder, states that he “clears misconceptions about Islam.”
In a video on YouTube, Naik tells an audience “If he’s [Osama Bin Laden] terrorising America the terrorist I am with him…Every Muslim should be a terrorist.” In another video he warns, “We need to be careful of the Jews.”
The preacher’s planned talk has prompted the Oxford University Jewish Society to call for the talk to be cancelled. In a statement they said, “Compromising government attempts to keep our country free of hate speech undermines the very basis of the Union.”
Myriam Francois of the Oxford Islamic Society said, “Whilst we do not condone Naik’s views and stand with OUJS against all forms of prejudice, we do believe the best way to tackle ignorance is to counter it through the open forum of debate.”
However, she said that the society considered “the format of the event, an address rather than a debate with a vigorous opposition, to be misguided.”
Francois added, “We state unequivocally that Islam does not tolerate prejudice, sexism or extremism, the Prophet Mohammed having described Islam as a religion of moderation.”
Sam Cherkas, speaking on behalf of OUJS, told Cherwell earlier this week that they had not received a response from the Oxford Union addressing their concerns, after emailing the President on 27th January.
A statement from Union said, “The decision to invite Naik was not taken lightly.
“The Union takes very seriously members’ concerns over the likely content of Dr Naik’s talk. However, The Oxford Union exists to discuss and debate ideas, even those considered unorthodox or controversial by society at large.
“We have no desire to challenge Dr Naik’s ban on entry to the UK. However, we do wish to give our members the chance to discuss and challenge his views on terrorism and on the Home Office’s decision to ban him.”
