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Monday, June 6, 2011

The problem with Universities: parallel dissonance

Two sides of the same coin with different packaging.  Yet they reflect each other to bring into focus the core problem: the inability to admit there is a problem.  In any solution, there must first be the realization that the problem exists, and that there are ways to address them, but the first thing to do is admit the problem.

Both these articles show that this acceptance of a problem is non-existant, and that it is easier to believe in faeries and unicorns than the stark reality of an ideology that wants to conquer the known world.

The first is about money, the second is about accepting everyone as equal, no matter what they say.


From Macleans June 2 by Josh DeHaas

Groups linked to Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas to establish Chair in Islamic Studies
An Ontario college is being asked to turn down a $2-million donation that will fund a new Chair in Islamic Studies. Those opposed say that the groups donating the cash have obvious links to jihad and terrorism. But the principal of Huron College at the University of Western Ontario, who took the money, says she’s satisfied that the groups aren’t violent and that they won’t have any influence on courses or hiring.

Willful blindness for the almighty dollar.

The opponents, headed by London resident Rory Leishman, outlined their worries in a letter this week. They noted that the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC), which donated some of the money, supports Hassan Al-Banna’s vision of Islam. Al-Banna founded the Muslim Brotherhood, an Arab political group that has acted violently against those who don’t follow Islam and which has called for the “obliteration” of Israel. Wael Haddara, president of the MAC, told The Toronto Sun that his group is not violent, even though they “firmly believe that there is a tremendous amount of good in the writings, works and life of Al-Banna and the traditions of the Muslim Brotherhood.”

To try and separate the teachings of Al-Banna is like separating the Medina and Mecca verses from the Qur'an.  It is what it is, just as Al-Bannas writings are what they are.  "Israel will exist, and continue to exist, until Islam obliterates it, as it has obliterated things before it".  The opening of the Hamas charter, quoting Hassan Al-Banna.

But it’s not just influence from the MAC that opponents are worried about. Half of the donation will come from the International Institute for Islamic Thought (IIIT), whose past leaders were supporters of the terrorist group Hamas, according to a U.S. Customs report. Temple University University in Philadelphia rejected a $1.5 million gift from the group in 2008 over concerns about its links to terrorism.

Trish Fulton, Acting Principal of Huron College, said that she is satisfied that there are no links to terrorism. “We have a due diligence process that — it includes a site visit, a review of tax returns and any other information available on the organization — and we follow that before we entertain any gift of a certain size or gift from individuals or organizations,” she told The Sun.

“Islamic studies is a legitimate subject for academic inquiry and we are very proud that this is the first chair of Islamic studies in a family of theology in Canada,” added Fulton. The petitioners say they aren’t arguing about the establishment of a chair, but who the school should taking money from.

Some serious research would reveal the dark side, Trish but it must be too much work for you to read even 5 minutes of Robert Spencer, or Steve Emerson, or Whalid Phares.  I suspect that even if you did, it would make little if any difference.  You have shown your dhimmi side, taken the money and are now beholden to your Islamic masters.  My condolences to your now besotted soul.


First the money, now the "Kumbayya" angle from The Telegraph June 5 by Duncan Gardham

Universities 'complacent' over Islamic radicals, Theresa May warns

Theresa May told The Daily Telegraph that universities were not taking the issue of radicalisation seriously enough and that it was too easy for Muslim extremists to form groups on campuses “without anyone knowing”.

Such as the MSA or the MSU on campuses across America?  Oh we know, Mrs. May, we know. 

She also said the Government would cut funding to any Islamic group that espoused extremist views, and set out the “key British values” to which those seeking support must subscribe. It is understood that about 20 groups are already losing their funding.

Mrs May made her comments ahead of the publication this week of the updated version of the Prevent counter-terrorism strategy.

“I think for too long there’s been complacency around universities,” she said. “I don’t think they have been sufficiently willing to recognise what can be happening on their campuses and the radicalisation that can take place. I think there is more that universities can do.”

Mrs May said universities had to “send very clear messages” and “ask themselves some questions about what happens on their campuses”.

She also criticised the Federation of Student Islamic Societies for not challenging extremism sufficiently.

They need to be prepared to stand up and say that organisations that are extreme or support extremism or have extremist speakers should not be part of their grouping,” Mrs May said.

The problem?  Islam as defined in its purest form is not extreme, it is mainstream Islamic eschatology, laid down my Muhammad 1400 years ago.  The only extreme behavior in Islam is not being Islamic enough.

Her remarks follow comments made by Nicola Dandridge, the head of Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, claiming there was no evidence that extremist speakers at university encouraged violence.

As part of the Prevent strategy, the Government will define as extremists anyone who “does not subscribe to human rights, equality before the law, democracy and full participation in society”, including those who “promote or implicitly tolerate the killing of British soldiers”.

Uh guys, that is a perfect definition of Islam. 

Read it all

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