The student, who is currently completing a Masters Degree in International Politics, exclusively told The Muslim Weekly that the university authorities, whilst publicly stating on their website that Amin had been reprimanded, had not ever been in contact with him regarding the "allegations of anti-Semitism at SOAS."
The 24 year-old wrote an article in March ‘When Only Violence Will Do’ in student magazine SOAS Spirit. The article was a response to views expressed by Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, former advisor to US president George W. Bush on Islam, that violence was not the answer for oppressed Muslims.
Since then Amin has suffered accusations of anti-Semitism, a public reprimand from SOAS and attempted prosecution. He has also been the subject of death threats on Zionist websites over the article.
The article, which was a critique of Sheikh Yusuf’s argument attacks Israel but contains no comments that can be defined as ‘anti-Semitic.’
The article does not talk about suicide bombing but about the morality of Palestinian resistance.
However, since its publication Amin has faced repeated accusations in national newspapers that he is anti-Semitic, a Muslim extremist and a supporter of terrorism, charges that he denies.
Amin says he was "selectively misquoted and misused by the media for political purposes."
He argues that as one of their students, SOAS owed him a duty of care. But instead of protecting him against "Islamophobia, bullying, racism, harassment and slander" the university made him a scapegoat on their website.
Amin said: "SOAS issued a reprimand against me without even bothering to inform me of it or why I was reprimanded. Director Bundy has done so to appease those who support Ariel Sharon. The Director has effectively assisted Sharon’s side of the Middle East conflict and is unrepentant about this.
"The article I wrote was a standard philosophical treatise on anti-colonial resistance and on Western hatred of Islam. Supporters of Zionism who wish to slander Muslims as evil launched a merciless media onslaught against me.
"The SOAS authorities have behaved shamefully. In their zeal to uphold SOAS’s image amongst supporters of Zionism they have persecuted a Muslim student, and sent a powerful message which has made Muslim students at the School terrified of criticising Israel."
Dr Mark Laffey, Lecturer in International Politics, and Amin’s tutor said:
"It is part of the job description of an academic institution that you are willing to give offense. Our job is to seek out the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or unpleasant for various groups or interests."
"Freedom of expression must include the right to air unpopular or unpleasant arguments."
The Muslim Weekly contacted SOAS regarding the allegations. However, they were unable to provide a comment from Colin Bundy, Director of the university.
SOAS is renowned as a multicultural leader and an institute which has always allowed free speech. However, this episode is likely to erode that reputation.
Article from www.themuslimweekly.co.uk
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