A COUNTER-TERRORISM STUDENT in the United Kingdom has received an apology from his university after a complaints officer questioned him on suspicion that he could be a terrorist.
Mohammed Umar Farooq was studying a masters in terrorism, crime and global security at Staffordshire University when the incident took place earlier this year.
Revealing details of the accusations to the Guardian, Farooq explained that he was spotted in the library reading a book on terrorism studies.
He first thought it was a student and attempted to “laugh it off”, but it soon became apparent that the man was an official from the university.
Farooq told the publication that he was questioned on his views on Islam and news that fighters with the so-called Islamic State had been throwing homosexuals off buildings.
Farooq left the course soon after.
“The implications if I did not challenge this could be serious for me,” he said.
I could go on a police list, I could be investigated without my knowledge. This could happen to any young Muslim lad. I had to fight back.
The university apologised to Farooq after three months of investigation, the Guardian reported. However, a spokesperson told The Telegraph that the incident took place and they apologised for any distress called, but that he was not questioned on his views on terrorism.
Farooq’s questioning has been used by students’ unions across the United Kingdom to criticise a government anti-extremism initiative known as Prevent.
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