Right-wing author is banned from Islam talk
Jack Lefley23.01.09
A right-wing writer has been banned from chairing a debate on Islam at the London School of Economics today amid security fears, the Standard has learned.
Douglas Murray, a self-confessed “neo conservative”, was due to chair “Islam or Liberalism: Which is the Way Forward?” at the university tonight — 24 hours after the end of a week-long sit in at LSE in protest at Israel's attacks on Gaza.
The commentator and author, who is the director of conservative think-tank the Centre for Social Cohesion, said: “This is back to the bad old days of the LSE — where the most violent get to dictate people's education. It is worse than censorship — it's intimidation.” The debate, which is set to go ahead, is between Dr Alan Sked, a senior lecturer in international history at the university, and Hamza Andreas Tzortzis, a Muslim writer and lecturer.
The LSE asked Mr Murray not to attend in the interest of public safety as his presence could provoke further unrest. A spokesman added: “He has spoken at LSE in the past and will be welcome to do so again in the future.”
Reader views (34)
This is appalling. I've seen Douglas Murray speaking in debates a few times - he is always well informed, polite and fair.
- Tabatha, London
It does not appear to be a "British" mindset that appeases the radicals of Islam, but rather a politically correct, or progressive one.
The more steps Islam takes in establishing Sharia Law in Europe, the more deaf ears it falls on, over here.
A few of us are shouting the warning cries, but its as useless here as it appears to be over there, as well.
One has to ask "how is this happening on a worldwide scale"?
Look no further than the recent coronation of the Progressive Messiah, Obama.
The world's press has set him up as "the answer" just as they have neutered many minds in matters such as encroaching Sharia Law on western civilizations.
We are squarely in the midst of WWIII 1/2, the battle for minds.
Mr Rusgaard, I'm with you.
- Theodore Adamski, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
Would they ban a speaker or moderator objected to by the BNP or the Nazis? Of course not. They'd stand up for freedom of speech and bring in sufficient security to deal with any perceived threat. This is censorship in the guise of safety.
- R M, London, UK
islam or liberalism which is the way forward----- methinks that's a trick question
- tommy, belfast uk
it is sad that london is being intimidated by militant islam. why censor an inevitable european argument:
sharia or democracy?
sorry lads, looks like an unfavorable start:
sharia 1 - democracy 0.
they immigrated to your city. they are the ones who MUST integrate. are you really going to allow them to facilitate the promotion of censorship?????
- marc m. b., new york, ny
Run, you pathetic English wimps. Churchill must be turning in his grave at your pathetic mewling actions. Why have a debate LSE, if you are told who you are allowed to have as debaters? The whole thing is now a joke.
- Robert, Australia
What is happening to my beloved England! - The hope of my parents' generation during nazi occupation. England still has very many friends and devotees in Denmark. We know of your former strength to overcome pacifism and appeasement - and finally to fight tyranny. I expect the English to do that again. And this time you are not alone. I must say so because I am afraid that your country is being taken away from you! The decent England I met in 1965 must hide somewhere but decency doesn't go well with cowardness. I dare speak of that as a Dane knowing well his history. Most of my heroes are dead by now, namely my resisting fellow countrymen - and not to forget - that Winston Churchill of yours. Now is the time for you and me to fight tyranny. Today's pacifism and appeasement are just another words of fear and cowardness. Political correctness will fight only for the good but will not fight evil. Therefore it is not an allied.
- Niels Thyge Riisgaard, 7860 Spottrup, Danmark
Hi, I am an Israeli student at LSE, and was very worried when I heard about this story so I went to the debate last night. Having attended a fairly interesting debate its clear to me the LSE was right to think that Mr Murray would not have been a suitable chairperson. The issue being debated was whether Islam or Liberalism was best placed to solve societies problems, which in itself is a sensitive topic. We all know where Mr Murray would stand on this question, so for me while I would find myself agreeing with much of what Mr Murray says I think LSE were right to have concerns about him chairing the event. Most sensible people would agree that its best to have someone in the chair who is viewed as an honest broker especially for sensitive or controversial topics. Douglas Murray would have been a great speaker on the topic, but a totally unsuitable chair, it would have been like asking the Pope to chair a debate on the issue of homosexuality. People who come to such quick conclusions on this matter need to give some consideration for the unfortunate atmosphere on the LSE campus between certains groups of students after the recent activity in the middle east and the occupation of campus. For those criticising LSE there needs to be an acknowledgement that the debate went ahead, with the proposed speakers. This included Dr Sked who put forward views which were very similar to those which Mr Murray would put forward, so the allegation there was some threat to free speech is false.
- Patrick, London
As the left wing agenda moves forward day by day, my views move further to the right.. Methinks it will soon be time for direct action. Those who deny us our democracy will have to pay the price. The time to listen to us, the non-PC silent majority, is long overdue. We must bring our troops home to fight the enemy within. The Battle for Britain is about to start with a vengeance.
- Jan F, Cumbria UK
What happened to freedom of expression and Democracy? Whats happening to England?
- Malcolm D'Costa, Mysore, India
Is this the way a country who prides itself on freedom and democracy behaves? it is up to us, the people, to decide if we want to listen to this person not the govt or other parties to tell us we cant listen.
The same is true for other radical speakers as well, we are intelligent people on the whole and know when we are listening to people who preach hatred, those that cant differentiate between this rubbish and reality will be radicals anyway and race haters without influence from political speakers.
- brian, Wiltshire
Is this yet another wake up call? Appeasment never works. Politicians seem to have brain washed by a vociferous but well organised minority that support Islamic fundamentalists. The long suffering general public are sick of them. We need politicians who stick up for our democratic way of life.
- Dominic, Torquay UK
And whose fault is all this, exactly................?
- Archie, Thrapston, England
Surely this is a blatant example of discrimination
- R.F., Yorks, UK
If he had been a radical muslim cleric preaching hate and death to the west, or a looney left Trotskyist he would have been welcomed with open arms. Since the sixties the LSE has been run by dimwitted lefties who have never had a proper job in the lives
- TrevN, Abu Dhabi
another nail in the coffin for free speach
- george whyte, london
London School Bows to Threat of Islamic Violence, Bans Author...
- sally smaller, cardiff
The LSE is clearly a school for muppets.
Disgraceful.
- Eoin McGreeghan, Derry, NI
If the other two lecturers, Dr Alan Sked and Hamza Andreas Tzortzis, are worth anything and democrats, they protest and stay away from the debate.
- Hanne, Copenhagen, Denmark
Socialized punishment is about as effective as socialized economics. Don't punish everyone because of the possibility of a few bad actors.
Each of these types of events should be used as an educational process to show that you can have spirited public debate. People who try to violently suppress should be quickly quieted and arrested showing everyone the consequences of being intellectual thugs.
Silencing the debate, in fear of possible violence, is letting the thugs win and shows a lack of courage. Freedom of speech must be defended which is not always convenient or without threats.
Appeasement never stops the bad behavior, it rewards and therefore increases the bad behavior.
- Craig T, Las Vegas, USA
seems it isnt offensive when the likes of the abu hamzas etc were allowed to preach their messages of hatred and those who still are, as for the persons remark about a con being involved in social cohesion,then consider the following,what kind of social cohesion is it, when a community demands censorship,the implementation of their own laws, schools, banking systems etc,the list goes on and on,is that the social cohesion they were talking about?The peoples of this country should say enough is enough,and I also have to bring to task our media for their unfair reporting,especially in relation to reccent by elections,especially the one where the bnp reduced a labour majority of 1010 to a mere 16,and bexley where the tory candidate won by a mere 8 votes?I am not a bnp member yet,although voted for richard barnbrook,however the press silence doesnt seem to be doing the bnp any harm at all as people are beccoming more better and more honestly informed via other mediums,new labour and their weak tory opponents are to blame for this seismic shift in the disintegration of our society ,their multicultural social engineering experiment has failed miserably,they should be getting tougher with those who have no respect for, or intention of integrating in to our society,as well as those who have no right to be here,our laws should be home made british laws that dictate the terms of residence here,not an E.U.inspired act,similar to the one they have used to kill our freedom of speech.
- celticknight, london
Winston Churchil once commented:
“How dreadful are the curses which Islam lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.
A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property‹either as a child, a wife, or a concubine must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. But the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it.
No stronger retrograde force exists in the world."
These words are more appropriate today!
Britain needs another Churchill.
- geoff from the west, Brisbane AUS
how sad, yet typical. Islam can not stand examination in the clear light of day, it won't survive discussion or reason so it must use violence and threats to survive. The British absolutely must take back their country and their freedom and rights before it's too late. At this rate it won't be much longer before you are living under Sharia Law....grow a spine England !!
- Felix, Atoka
Hey guys Google Islam in Action08 and then look in the archives for the American Muslims, no different from the rest videos. We are having the same problems with them as you are. It is just not as bad yet.
- Christopher, USA
A self professed neocon is likely to be a Jeffersonian Liberal. Based on his response I would say that is exactly what he is. We, who believe in individualism freedom and the old fashioned definition of tolerance, meaning tolerance as opposed to submission to violence and religious dogma, are called 'neocons' so often we take the label with pride.
- Vlad Tepesblog, Ottawa Canada
Dear stiff upper lip, please allow me to introduce you to your quivering jowls.
In case you Limeys forgot, liberty means being able to say what you want to those that don't want to hear it.
- Arne, San Rafael, CA
It's our fault for putting up with this. How long before we are controlled by Islam? Any ideas? We can't say what we think, we feel as though we are sidelined at every turn. There are areas that are no-go for white people. These people are permanently offended, so they need little excuse to to come out with their placards and march through the streets. If anyone one is arrested, nothing comes of it. As in the marches and violence and looting recentely, instead of holding firm, the police walk backwards. And that my friends say's it all. Come on, do something about it.
- Sylvia, Epping. Essex
Why is it when "Islam" is involved there is invariably a security scare?
- Harvey Lawrence, london
Get our troops back into the UK to locate and expel all the terrorists in our midst.
Maybe then we can have our country, along with it's traditional free speech, back again to be the envy of the world.
- Cap, london
How can you have a neo-con as a director of a centre for social cohesion?.
- Colin, barking essex
"The most violent get to dictate people's education", and who might they be Mr Murray?
The Science Museum retracted their invitation to scientist Watson, of DNA Crick and Watson fame, in 2007 over possible race issues. Sometimes, for the sake of the majority and for civilised and humane debate, it is necessary to exclude those with very strong partisan views that may invoke equally strong objection, cause offence and confrontation.
- Filosofee, United Kingdom
We know that feedom of speech is a stranger in most Islamic countries. It now seems that its supression is the number one export to Europe, with the spineless Brits being one the top customers.
Well done LSE! Welcome to the beginning of a totalitarian State.
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague, Czech Republic
What a shame,even the London school of economics wont stand up for the right of free speach.This is self censorship by fear.Shame on them.
- Kev, London-UK
Why is it 'right-wing' to speak out against Patriarchy, Orthodoxy and 'Divine Right'?
- Magnus Nielsen, London
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