London, UK, September 27 – Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, the non-violent Islamic political party, gives its full support to the campaign to reinstate Keith Shilson as the President of Middlesex University Student Union. Mr Shilson was suspended as a student and removed by university security last week after he refused to cancel an open question and answer session with Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain at the university to dispel misconceptions about the organisation.
As part of a campaign to reinstate Mr Shilson, the Middlesex University Student Union is holding an event entitled "Defend the Right to Speak on Campus" later today [Tuesday 27th September 2005]. Speakers from the National Union of Students, Liberty, Islamic Human Rights Commission, Stop the War Coalition and NATHFE will address the audience.
Dr Imran Waheed, a media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said, "These McCarthyist tactics are reminiscent of those used on campuses in the dictatorships of the Muslim world such as Uzbekistan and Egypt. In silencing legitimate and peaceful political debate on campus the university is demonstrating the worst form of extremism. All people of conscience should recognise the principled stand of Keith Shilson and demand his immediate reinstatement."
[Ends]
Notes to Editors
The event will take place at 4 p.m. at the Trent Park Campus Student Union Building.