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Ex-Muslim speaks at Goldsmiths, Islamic Protestors turn off Projector


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2015 Dec 3, 10:56am   2,428 views  13 comments

by MisdemeanorRebel   ➕follow (13)   💰tip   ignore  

... and the Goldsmiths Feminists express "solidarity"... with the Islamists!

Protesters from the Goldsmiths University Islamic Society have heckled and aggressively disrupted a talk from ex-Muslim and feminist campaigner Maryam Namazie.

Ms Namazie was giving a speech on blasphemy and apostasy at the invitation of the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society at Goldsmiths University when several men from the Goldsmiths Islamic Society (ISOC) arrived and started disrupting the event.

The night before the event the president of the Islamic Society wrote to the ASH society saying "we feel extremely uncomfortable by the fact that you have invited Maryam Namazie. As you very well probably know, she is renowned for being Islamophobic, and very controversial."

The Islamic Society claimed that Namazie's attendance on campus was a violation of their "safe space".

They added, "we advise you to reconsider your event tomorrow."

Regardless of this the event went ahead, but protesters from the Islamic Society stormed into the room shortly after the talk started and began disrupting the event.

Ms Namazie said that "After my talk began, ISOC 'brothers' started coming into the room, repeatedly banging the door, falling on the floor, heckling me, playing on their phones, shouting out, and creating a climate of intimidation in order to try and prevent me from speaking."

The hecklers were asked repeatedly to be quiet and told by organisers that there would be an opportunity to ask questions or make comments at the end. The Muslim hecklers repeatedly interrupted the early part of the talk, shouting "safe space" and laughing.

When one female student tried to intervene the men shouted at her to "sit down".

University security were called and when Namazie displayed a 'Jesus and Mo' cartoon on a slide, one of the Muslim protesters turned the projector off to prevent the depiction of Mohammed from being shown.

At one point some of the hecklers appeared to laugh at the murder of secular Bangladeshi bloggers. Namazie challenged them: "Is it really funny that people get hacked to death? … I know it's funny for you."

Reza Moradi, a lecturer present at the talk, said that one Muslim protester "looked right into my eyes and with his finger, shaping hand like a handgun, touched his forehead" in what Moradi described as a "death threat".

After the event the Goldsmiths ISOC released a statement condemning the "vile harassment of our ISOC members (both male and female) by the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society (ASH)."

They said that "Muslim students who attended the event were shocked and horrified by statements made by Namazie".

Incredibly, the Goldsmiths Feminist Society sided with the Islamist protesters. They released a statement on 2 December expressing their "solidarity with Goldsmiths Islamic Society".

They said: "We support them in condemning the actions of the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society and agree that hosting known islamophobes [sic] at our university creates a climate of hatred."

Ms Namazie said that "The behaviour of the ISOC 'brothers' was so appalling that a number of Muslim women felt the need to apologise, to which I explained that no apology was needed from those who were not to blame."

She added: "Freedom of expression and the right to criticise and leave Islam without fear and intimidation is a basic human right. We have a responsibility to fight for these universal values at British universities and also across the globe."

Stephen Evans, the National Secular Society's campaigns manager, commented: "It's becoming very clear that the concept of 'safe spaces' is being abused to the point where it is becoming a direct threat to freedom of speech. Some students may find criticism of their religion offensive, but in an open and free society that does not give them the right to close down such discussion and intimidate those expressing their views.

"We urge Goldsmiths to condemn the intolerance shown towards Maryam Namazie and make clear to its students they do not have the right not to be offended."

Ms Namazie had previously been banned by Warwick University from speaking on campus, but the decision by the Student Union was quickly reversed after a high profile campaign and widespread criticism in the national press and on social media.


http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2015/12/islamist-students-try-to-disrupt-ex-muslim-maryam-namazies-talk-on-blasphemy-at-goldsmiths-university

Comments 1 - 13 of 13        Search these comments

1   curious2   2017 Jul 9, 9:25pm  

TwoScoopsMcGee says

when Namazie displayed a 'Jesus and Mo' cartoon on a slide, one of the Muslim protesters turned the projector off to prevent the depiction of Mohammed from being shown.

More at http://www.jesusandmo.net/

2   Rew   2017 Jul 9, 9:47pm  

RE your cartoon, see the 3/5ths compromise curious2. It takes time but the progress toward ever expanding civil rights appears a path all human societies are on.

There are a few blips in the road that look to pull us backwards from time to time. Current notables would be things like ISIS, and yes, the current Trump administration.

100 years from now, rights we think are ludicrous or impossible to grant, will be normal.

3   Rin   2017 Jul 9, 9:53pm  

curious2 says

prevent the depiction of Mohammed from being shown.

Here's how you show Mohammed on a slide ...

4   Strategist   2017 Jul 9, 9:55pm  

Rin says

curious2 says

prevent the depiction of Mohammed from being shown.

Here's how you show Mohammed on a slide ...

Mohammad the pedophile must be one helluva ugly freak not to want his face shown.

5   curious2   2017 Jul 9, 9:55pm  

Rew says

all human societies are on.

That sounds like you call the Indonesians subhuman.

"Jakarta governor Ahok found guilty in landmark Indonesian blasphemy trial"

Pakistanis, too, and in fact most of the Islamic world.

George Packer, "Exporting Jihad," The New Yorker, March 28, 2016 issue:

"Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have championed democracy as the best way to stop the Arab world’s destructive oscillation between secular dictatorship and Islamist radicalism. Tom Malinowski, the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, said, “One of our articles of faith here—backed up by evidence, I hope—is that open societies are a bulwark against extremism, and that repression tends to make our task in fighting this menace harder.” There are almost no test cases in the Arab world other than Tunisia, and, at the very least, Tunisia complicates the idea. The country is not so much a model to be emulated as a problem to be solved.
***
Kamal...glanced at the other tables in the garden café, lowered his voice, and outlined what he called “the project.” He said, “The Islamic State will rule the world. There will be no flag other than the flag of Allah, and there will be justice and peace all over the world. Those who have done wrong...will be killed under the Koran. Some will die in public trials, in front of everybody... They’ll get what they deserve. They are infidels.
***
For all his talk about jihad, Kamal seemed like a young man who would jump at a chance to party at a techno club. He was eager to mention European friends with whom he discusses religion (but not the project)."

[more here, worth reading]

Your faith reminds me of Bush 43 bringing "democracy" to Iraq. Reportedly, he spent hours coaching Nouriel Al-Maliki about how to be a president. W could never understand why Al-Maliki didn't take his advice. BTW, Al-Maliki had reportedly been chosen by CIA, another "service" from George "Slam Dunk" Tenet, who got a Medal of Freedom for his "service".

6   Strategist   2017 Jul 9, 9:59pm  

Rew says

RE your cartoon, see the 3/5ths compromise curious2. It takes time but the progress toward ever expanding civil rights appears a path all human societies are on.

There are a few blips in the road that look to pull us backwards from time to time. Current notables would be things like ISIS, and yes, the current Trump administration.

100 years from now, rights we think are ludicrous or impossible to grant, will be normal.

You have a good point, but in the meantime stop sympathizing with these barbarians. It only delays civilizing them.

7   Rew   2017 Jul 9, 10:02pm  

curious2 says

That sounds like you call the Indonesians subhuman.

As previously stated ... "There are a few blips in the road that look to pull us backwards..."

Your reading comprehension needs work as I clearly claimed there are exceptions. But, I believe that is kind of your continued MO: to make baseless claims about what a person believes.

8   Rew   2017 Jul 9, 10:03pm  

Strategist says

stop sympathizing with these barbarians. It only delays civilizing them.

Any students of history in the house recognize language like this?

9   Strategist   2017 Jul 9, 10:13pm  

Rew says

Strategist says

stop sympathizing with these barbarians. It only delays civilizing them.

Any students of history in the house recognize language like this?

Are you saying people who believe in sharia laws are already civilized?

10   Rew   2017 Jul 9, 11:14pm  

Strategist says

Are you saying people who believe in sharia laws are already civilized?

Do they not have a civilization?

Some forms of government allow a person to choose a religious or a secular court, depending on what they like. It also depends on how fundamentalist the form of sharia is. Most of sharia law though would definitely not be a legal system I would wish for myself or greater community. It's pretty archaic by Western standards.

Do you know where language like "these barbarians" and "not being civilized" has been used by people at previous points in history?

11   curious2   2017 Jul 9, 11:28pm  

Rew says

barbarians

The word originated in ancient Rome, to describe the comparatively less civilized peoples of what later came to be known as the Barbary States. Interestingly, it stuck.

Rew says

I clearly claimed there are exceptions.

You claimed it, because you mistake the rule for "exceptions". Islam is reasserting itself, as it tends to do. When weak, it appears meek; when powerful, it becomes more assertive and lethal. Islam is a force, like war or fire. You can have a little of each, people arguing over coffee in front of the fireplace, and no one gets hurt as long as the Muslims aren't allowed to kill the blasphemers. Once these forces get larger though, they can burn down your house and kill huge numbers of people. At 1% of a democracy, Islam might look like a colorful fire in the fireplace, and an interesting debate. Islam becomes more dangerous above 5%, as cartoonists in Denmark and France learned. Above 20% of a democracy, Islam begins burning the carpet and filling the house with smoke, making discussion dangerous and freedom much more difficult to maintain. Above 50%, Islam burns down the house and the non-Muslims tend either to die or flee. I base those percentages on data from around the world. You base your position on blind faith, and make the same mistake W made. I have not mistaken what you believe; rather, your belief is mistaken.

I do pay careful attention to what people say including the beliefs they express. I've cited detailed data including surveys from around the world. You accuse me of assuming, because that false accusation comforts you somehow. You prefer to imagine your anecdotal experience as a representative sample of the larger whole. In that way, it is actually your M.O. to make baseless (or nearly baseless) claims about what other people believe, not mine.

BTW, you never answered the questions:

curious2 says

curious2 says

Rew says

Gladly. Pence....

@Rew, how do you believe Pence would compare to Bush 43? On what evidence do you base that opinion? Do you consider Bush 43 a successful Presidency?

@Rew, I had intended that as a serious question. You haven't replied at all, while posting a dozen other comments in the three days since. I am honestly trying to understand why you would "gladly" welcome someone who seems by every measure worse than W. Did you support W, and his war in Iraq? Do you believe that worked out well?

12   Strategist   2017 Jul 10, 7:34am  

Rew says

Strategist says

Are you saying people who believe in sharia laws are already civilized?

Do they not have a civilization?

Some forms of government allow a person to choose a religious or a secular court, depending on what they like. It also depends on how fundamentalist the form of sharia is. Most of sharia law though would definitely not be a legal system I would wish for myself or greater community. It's pretty archaic by Western standards.

Do you know where language like "these barbarians" and "not being civilized" has been used by people at previous points in history?

The true civilization of Islam is the way Mohammad practiced it....Rape Murder Plunder Pillage and Slavery. We see that today in ISIS, terrorists, and sharia law believers. If you don't think that is barbarism, what is barbarism to you?

13   FNWGMOBDVZXDNW   2017 Jul 10, 8:19am  

This safe place shit is just out of hand. There is truly no such world in which everybody can think and do as they like and not be offended by someone else thinking and expressing contrary views. In addition, the idea that we need to protect ourselves from hearing such contrary views is so childish, it should be laughed out of the room.

IMO, the only legitimate way to frame the need for a safe space is in terms of someone being handicapped. For instance, if someone has PTSD from being raped or being in a war, those people have a mental handicap that limits their ability to be exposed to certain things. Colleges might want to make sure that they can accommodate those people in some way. This could be through a special classroom or meeting or something to discuss certain topics. If someone wants to frame being Muslim as a handicap, then go for it. The idea that we need to prevent society from discussing anything that might possibly offend some individual is just ridiculous.

Finally, there is one thing that pretty much everybody on PatNet can probably agree.

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