The “brothers” came in
So Maryam gave her talk at Goldsmiths…and “brothers” from ISOC did their best to disrupt it.
After my talk began, ISOC “brothers” started coming into the room, repeatedly banging the door, falling on the floor, heckling me, playing on their phones, shouting out, and creating a climate of intimidation in order to try and prevent me from speaking.
I continued speaking as loudly as I could. They repeatedly walked back and forth in front of me. In the midst of my talk, one of the ISOC Islamists switched off my PowerPoint and left. The University security had to intervene and remain in the room as I continued my talk.
Eventually the thug who had switched off my PowerPoint returned and continued his harassments. At this point, I stood my ground, screamed loudly and continued insisting that he be removed even when the security said he should stay because he was a student. When he was finally escorted out of the meeting, discussions on many issues from apostasy, the veil to Islamism and Sharia laws continued, including with some of the ISOC “sisters” who remained behind.
That’s their Islam, their religion of peace – one that can’t let people dissent from it.
In the Q&A, a women’s rights campaigner who had been kidnapped by Islamists in Libya and held for three days said that the attempts at intimidation reminded her of those dreaded days.
Another CEMB activist said one of the ISOC thugs disrupting the meeting threatened him by pointing a finger to his head.
The behaviour of the ISOC “brothers” was so appalling that a number of Muslim women felt the need to apologise, to which I explained that no apology was needed from those who were not to blame.
Absurdly, this very group which speaks of “safe spaces” has in the past invited Hamza Tzortzis of IERA which says beheading of apostates is painless and Moazem Begg of Cage Prisoners that advocates “defensive jihad.”
“Safe spaces” in which to advocate the stoning of women for having sex.
Despite the many attempts of the ISOC “brothers,” the meeting ended successfully and raised critical issues, including that criticism of Islam and Islamism are not bigotry against Muslims who are often the first victims of Islamism and on the frontlines of resistance. The meeting also helped expose the Islamists for what they are – thugs who cannot tolerate dissent.
Nonetheless, the Islamists at ISOC will need to learn that apostates, and particularly women, have a right to speak and that we will not be intimidated or back down.
Freedom of expression and the right to criticise and leave Islam without fear and intimidation is a basic human right. We have a responsibility to fight for these universal values at British universities and also across the globe.
A video of the talk will be made available shortly.
Well done Maryam.
Applause.
Truly brave.
I’m so glad she continued her talk.
What horrible creeps the disruptors were. I don’t really think they belong at a university. On the other hand, the “sisters”… I expect they are supposed to report on her after, but I suspect they were feeling a secret little thrill knowing a woman left it all behind, and can be brave and independent.
Maryam Namazie is a great inspiration to me. If I believed in God I’d thank God, but I don’t so I’ll thank Maryam for her strength and courage to stand up for what is right and just.
Fuck, she’s brave.
I know I shouldn’t drag shit from FTB over here, but can you believe some fucknuckle actually said:
Yep. That’s Ophelia. Never shows the slightest support for women of colour. What a bunch of ignorant fuckin’ beanheads.
Interesting that there are multiple comments here and none on the original post at FTB. In fact, nobody there seems to comment on any of Maryam’s posts. Hmmm….
If I may request, would you link to the video of the talk when it becomes available?
Apologies if this is an intrusive request. Obviously you’re not responsible for my bad internet curation and short attention span. On the other hand, I’m much more likely to see it if you post it, instead of relying on my list of “things I should look up when I have the time”!
To be fair, I haven’t seen any of Maryams posts in the opening splash page. perhaps it is the case that if she doesn’t tag her posts with one of the major headers it simply doesn’t appear on the board, and so no-one is aware that there is even a post to comment on?
I’m impressed that Maryam continued and so effectively. No wonder the thugs don’t want anyone to hear her!
Religion of
PeacePiss.How come these Islamofascists were allowed to run free and create havoc like this? If I behaved like this at my local shopping mall I’d be tackled by security guards quick smart. I hope complaints were made to the appropriate people.
Yes, a lot of applause to Maryam!
The Great God Pan #6: I logged in with the intention of leaving a comment on Maryam’s FTB site but I couldn’t do it (it seems that only trackbacks are allowed). The same happens with her other posts; my impression is that at the moment she doesn’t allow comments on her blog.
I believe she and Taslima were taken off the side panel notification thingy because they sometimes featured uncensored photos of the various barbaric practices they blog about (decapitations and such) above the fold. But wow, such childish behavior from her bullies.
Kudos to Maryam for having stood up to the bullies. Yet another example of Islamists becoming very upset at having to face some brutal truths.
Will any of them be disciplined for their appalling behavior?
Probably not.
Patrick @ 7 – oh don’t worry, I’m impatient to post the video.
And no problem about asking; feel free to make requests like that.
Silentbob @ 5 – dang, that is a bizarre thing to say about me. As you hint, I do in fact pay attention to the suffering of people who aren’t me – but also, I don’t claim to be “suffering” myself. I would never in a million years point to myself as an example of suffering. I’ve had unfairly unreasonably good luck that way.
But that’s how these hate campaigns go. People just barf out any old accusation that occurs to them.
… and such accusations often provide a window into their own state of mind. Not the plan, I’m sure.
I find it bizarre that the disruptors were allowed to remain (by the campus security) on the grounds that “they were students”. So as long as you’re a student you can disrupt any campus activity at all? Those security people need to pull their heads out of their asses.
She violated their “safe space”.
http://www.gspellchecker.com/2015/11/talk-of-human-rights-violates-an-islamic-safe-space/
It appears that they’re defining a “safe space” for Muslims as a space in which no criticism of Islam whatsoever is permitted. People who think like that should not be in a university – “criticism is permitted” is absolutely fundamental to a university!