'We must monitor Islamic student societies within British universities' says terror expert
ISLAMIC student societies at British universities should be monitored because some may be encouraging extremists, an academic has warned.
Terror expert Professor Anthony Glees said the Islamic Society at Westminster University – where Mohammed Emwazi took a three-year computer course – should be among those undergoing an urgent review.
It is not known if Emwazi attended the society or ever gave talks but evidence is emerging that he was a radical Islamic extremist then.
Professor Glees, director of security and intelligence studies at Buckingham University, said: “It’s clear that within weeks of graduating from Westminster University, he tried to join jihadist organisation al-Shabaab.”
Prof Glees said it was possible he was recruited as a terrorist while at the university or that he was turned into an extremist.
He added: “Before somebody can be recruited to be a terrorist they have to be turned into an extremist.
"Therefore we need to think about where people can be turned into extremists.
"Campus Islamic societies are such places.
“Given the current surge in Islamic madness, I believe all universities should carefully consider whether Islamic student societies are a luxury we cannot afford.”
A spokesman for Westminster University said: “We condemn the promotion of radicalisation, terrorism and violence or threats against any member of our community.
We need to think about where people can be turned into extremists
“We have strict policies to promote tolerance among our 20,000 students, who come to study from over 150 nations.
“Any student found to be engaging in radicalised activity or intimidating others would be subject to disciplinary procedures.
“We are fully aware of all the influences within this diverse multi-cultural city.
"With other universities in London, we are working together to implement the Government’s Prevent strategy to tackle extremism.
“We strongly encourage anyone who is concerned about radicalisation to speak out and contact our pastoral team at the university.
“The safety and security of our students is our foremost concern.”
On the same day Emwazi was revealed as the beheader of innocent hostages, it was revealed a controversial and homophobic scholar Sheikh Haitham al-Hadad was due to speak at Westminster University’s Student Islamic Society.
The meeting was postponed but is expected to go ahead in the coming weeks.
Gay and lesbian students objected to the lecture because of the Sheikh has referred to homosexuality as a criminal act.
