RUSU, Reading uni and Reading uni Muslim society have withdrawn a controversial Muslim preacher from RUMS discover Islam week. Islamist preacher, Abu Usamah at-Thahabi, has been known to endorse the murder of gay people and of Muslims who give up their faith.
I'll include a few choice quotes from the huffington post article below
Peter G Tatchell: Reading University Colludes With Far-Right Extremist Muslim Society
I'll include a few choice quotes from the huffington post article below
At the last minute, the university decided to cancel Thahabi's talk but not because of his sexism, homophobia and de facto incitement to murder. The reason the authorities cited for cancelling was, they said, "the increasing threat of violent protest by extremist groups." These groups were not named.
Some people interpreted this as a smear against the peaceful counter-protest planned by the anti-extremist group, Student Rights, and by the Reading Atheist, Humanist and Secularist Society (RAHS).
"....the University has agreed to work with RUSU to ensure its policies reflect the need to protect the principles of freedom of speech in balance with the rights of all constituent parts of the student community. The University is committed to upholding both the right to free speech and the right to lawful protest within an environment that guarantees the safety of all users of our campuses."
What is this nonsense about supporting free speech? The Reading University Student's Union (RUSU) is a notorious opponent of free speech. At last October's Freshers' Fayre, they used security staff to force out the student Reading Atheist, Humanist, and Secularist Society (RAHS) after they included a pineapple labelled 'Mohammed' on their stall.
Peter G Tatchell: Reading University Colludes With Far-Right Extremist Muslim Society