COLLEGE ISLAMOPHOBIA

NOVANEWS

To the Chair of Hall Green Constituency Committee

As you are aware in the last Constituency Committee I raised an issue of potential unfair treatment of Muslim students in Joseph Chamberlain College.  I made the inquiry after being approached directly by a number of students who were concerned at the the way in which management was curbing and restricting the ability of Muslim students to express their faith and identity through holding events on campus.

I am informed by this group of students , that the management of JCC uniquely amongst Birmingham colleges and universities has chosen to ban Islam Awareness Week, (or as better portrayed by JCC management “steps have been taken such that it is not allowed to take place”), and the reason given, as it has been related to me,  is that the college has a neutrality policy as an educational institute such that it cannot allow the event to take place.

This flys in the face of reason given that most colleges and Universities up and down the country allow, and have allowed for many years Islam Awareness Week. The banning of Islam Awareness Week is quite ironic given the whole purpose of the week, and the events are to raise awareness between faiths and cultures and break down the barriers and counter, through human contact and relationships, the prejudices Muslims are facing in an increasingly intolerant world.

The students themselves felt very intimidated and did not know who to approach directly without the college finding out, hence they did not go to a councillor or MP in case they were suspended. Such is the fear on campus of crossing the Principle.

Now new disturbing information has come to light via the BBC. Elly Torbin did allow one event to take place, but decided to micro-manage the event and including vetting the speaker, a local Imam. ”in case he was a terrorist”.  In the interview the Imam states that she said she was capable of this task because she is ”a good judge of character’.

The report on the local media can be heard following the link below; It starts at about 1 hr and 5 minutes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00fctsr/Phil_Upton__Breakfast_Japan_and_unemployment

This BBC report substantiates the allegations made directly to me by local students, it paints a very disturbing picture of the curbing of religious and intellectual freedoms in that educational institute. Consequently I feel it is the duty of Hall Green Constituency Committee to take the necessary steps to counter this tide of Islamaphobia sweeping through Hall Green Constituency, whether it be the removal of Governors from Conway School, or the situation in Moseley School, or Project Champion itself a counter terrorism lead initiative spying indiscriminately on the Muslim Community.

I leave it in your hands to take what you decide is the best course of action, I however on a personal level feel if the allegations can be substantiated then Elle Torbins’ position is untenable.

I have also sent this email to a number of councillors in the Hall Green Constituency committee, as well as local activists, and those who I consider interested parties.

I hope you don’t mind.

Your Scincerely

Jarrar Mughal