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UK Academics Arrested For Researching al-Qaida

Posted by kdawson on from the terrism-is-the-root-password-to-the-academy dept.

D Afifi writes "Two political researchers at the University of Nottingham, in the UK, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act for downloading Al-Qaida material from a US government website. The material was to be used for research in terrorist tactics. There has been a huge public outcry, with university staff planning a march to demonstrate against the attack on academic freedom. Yet, one of the students, an Algerian, is still held in custody under immigration charges and is being fast-tracked for deportation."

1 of 681 comments (clear)

  1. Re:No surprise... by Das+Modell · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    I suspect the muslims are not the only segment of the British population that are trying to change the UK. Picking on one minority will only exacerbate the situation.

    I am not aware of any other group with similiar goals. But yes, I guess it's important to blame everyone equally so nobody's feelings are hurt. How this novel approach will let the British deal with the problem posed by Muslims in the country is anyone's guess.

    A lot of these "muslims" you object to are British by birth, a lot of them were born British citizens although born in another country (a consequence of empire building).

    Yes, but that doesn't mean they are truly British, or loyal to the country. The 2005 bombings in London were conducted by "British" Muslims. One of the perpetrators of the 2007 airport attack was a "British" Muslim, and the other one was an engineer getting a PhD in computational fluid dynamics, which is pretty odd considering that Muslim terrorists are all supposed to be poor and illiterate peasants living in grass huts or something.

    It's the same story everywhere in Europe. Muslims don't have the same attachment to nationalism as most other people do. The Ummah is more important to them.

    Obligatory message to potential moderators: no, I'm not "trolling," nor am I "flamebaiting." If you disagree with me then present valid counter-arguments. Downmodding me in a fit of leftist-liberal rage is simply going to prove I'm right.