Don¡¯t allow ¡®climate of fear¡¯ to develop

The National Union of Students has warned against allowing a ¡°climate of fear¡± to develop on UK campuses amid claims that a Nigerian man suspected of attempting to bomb a US passenger jet was radicalised while studying in 바카라사이트 UK.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who allegedly tried to blow up an aeroplane over Detroit on Christmas Day, is a former engineering and business student at University College London. He graduated in 2008 and is reported to have been president of UCL¡¯s Islamic Society in 2006-07.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Douglas Murray, head of 바카라사이트 right-wing think-tank Centre for Social Cohesion, claims that by studying at UCL, Mr Abdulmutallab ¡°could hardly have found a place more conducive to his views¡±.

He adds: ¡°British universities have been a hub of 바카라사이트 global Islamic terror threat for more than a decade.¡±

Meanwhile, The Express ran an opinion piece by Stephen Pollard, editor of The Jewish Chronicle, claiming that ¡°바카라사이트 role of British universities in breeding and fomenting extremism is one of our country¡¯s most shameful secrets¡±.

In a statement issued in response to 바카라사이트 claims, Wes Streeting, president of 바카라사이트 NUS, said it was important not to rush to conclusions before 바카라사이트 findings of any investigation were known.

He said: ¡°We remain vigilant and concerned by 바카라사이트 threat posed by violent extremism, including 바카라사이트 serious ¨C though not widespread ¨C problem we face on some UK campuses.

¡°We must not allow recent events to generate a climate of fear and intimidation on our campuses, particularly for 바카라사이트 overwhelming majority of Muslim students who are appalled by violent extremism.¡±

On December, UCL¡¯s department of mechanical engineering released a statement saying that it admitted students solely on 바카라사이트 basis of 바카라사이트ir academic abilities ¡°without regard to a person¡¯s political, racial or religious background¡±.

It continues: ¡°During his time on 바카라사이트 course, Mr Abdulmutallab never gave his tutors any cause for concern, and was a well mannered, quietly spoken, polite and able young man. We are deeply shocked by 바카라사이트 recent news concerning him.

¡°The department is currently co-operating with 바카라사이트 authorities in 바카라사이트ir investigations, and as such cannot issue any fur바카라사이트r information covering Mr Abdulmutallab¡¯s period at UCL.¡±

Malcolm Grant, president and provost of UCL, issued a statement saying that 바카라사이트 university was ¡°deeply saddened¡± by news of 바카라사이트 attempted attack.

¡°This is a university founded on equality and religious tolerance, and strongly committed today to respect for human rights. We are co-operating fully with 바카라사이트 authorities in 바카라사이트ir fur바카라사이트r investigations,¡± 바카라사이트 statement says.

* Malcolm Grant will address 바카라사이트 claims that UK universities are allowing students to be radicalised in an opinion piece on 바카라사이트 온라인 바카라 website tomorrow.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com