Mehdi Hasan | Islam Is A Peaceful Religion | Oxford Union

Bollywood

Year2013

Duration13m

Watch Now

7.1

SUBSCRIBE for more speakers ► http://is.gd/OxfordUnion SUPPORT the Oxford Union ► https://oxford-union.org/supportus FOLLOW Mehdi Hasan on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan Facebook @ http://fb.me/theoxfordunion Twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/OxfordUnion Oxford Union Website @ http://www.oxford-union.org/ Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan, political editor of the Huffington Post, warns Anne-Marie Waters that her "astonishing claims" might endanger her future as a Labour Party candidate, but assured her "don't worry, the BNP will take you". Hasan asks why, if Islam is "responsible for killing," such a tiny percentage of believers actually participate in violence. He asks the audience if they really believe that 1.6 billion people are all "followers, promoters and believers in a religion of violence". Hasan urges them not to "fuel the arguments of the phobes and bigots and legitimise hate", but to "trust the Muslims that you know and that you hear." MOTION: THIS HOUSE BELIEVES ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF PEACE. Yes's: 286 No's: 168 Filmed on 28/02/2013 ABOUT MEDHI HASAN: MEHDI HASAN is Britain's most prominent Muslim journalist. He recently moved from the New Statesman to become political editor of the Huffington Post. He has appeared on Question Time five times, and is hosting Al Jazeera's 'Head to Head' series at the Oxford Union this term. ABOUT THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY: The Union is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. It has been established for 189 years, aiming to promote debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe. The Oxford Union is deeply grateful and encouraged by the messages of support in response to our determination to uphold free speech. During our 200 year history, many have tried to shut us down. As the effects of self-imposed censorship on university campuses, social media and the arts show no signs of dissipating, the importance of upholding free speech