An Islamic student organization at UCF is generating serious buzz after a speaker they hosted made, what appears to Israel supporters to be, anti-semtic comments about the state of Israel during his presentation.
On Nov. 17, the Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society invited Sheikh Jaffer Ladak to UCF to speak on Islam and Anthropology. Some of his comments, however, have supporters of Israel offended and demanding action take place by UCF against hate speech and discrimination.
“We are considered Homosapiens, although I will say there are some who have probably, you know, gone backwards, and are more Neanderthal in their thinking, their from Mars, or probably from the state of Israel,” Sheikh Jaffer Ladak said in the video. “That’s why I don’t want this being recorded. I’ll never be allowed back in the states.”
Students have posted their outrage on Facebook and on the video’s YouTube page, calling the remarks “sickening” and “discriminating.”
“This happend at UCF and nothing has been said, or done… as a leader on this campus and proud Jew we cannot allow hate and bigotry to continue on our campus,” one student posted on his Facebook page.
KnightNews.com is currently looking to see if the content of this presentation violates any of UCF’s rules relating to free speech. A clause listed within UCF’s Golden Rule states:
“UCF values diversity in the campus community. Accordingly, discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, or veteran’s status is prohibited by federal and/or state law. It is our policy to treat all people with dignity and respect, without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, veteran status, or political opinions and affiliations,” the Golden Rule states.
Our sources tell us the speaker was not funded by SGA and the Director of Student Involvement, Michael Preston, is meeting with the RSO to gather more information about the situation and why this speaker was brought on campus.
The SGA President has the ability to dissolve any organization on campus with his signature, however, has not decided to do so yet, fearing bringing SGA into a controversy with free speech rights and a possible lawsuit.
The person who uploaded the video declined to provide us with the full audio recorded from the presentation and UCF has not immediately gotten back to our questions.
Check back for further updates.
