Hillhead Review

An event organised by the Glasgow University Justice for Palestine Society (GUJPS) was relocated multiple times after what organisers describe as last-minute pressure from University Management to cancel the booking at the Queen Margaret Union (QMU).

The talk titled “The battle between Islam of the Above and Islam of the Below,” featured controversial Egyptian-Canadian academic and author Dr Mohamed Abdou, as part of his “Death to the Akademy” tour.

It was scheduled to take place on 16 March at the QMU, alongside an iftar gathering. According to organisers, the booking was withdrawn approximately one hour before the event was due to begin.

In a statement posted on Instagram, GUJPS alleged that university management, “through David Duncan,” pressured the QMU to cancel the event on the grounds of “illegality” and concerns that it could be “alienating” to some students. The society claims attendees were asked to leave the venue shortly before the scheduled start time.

The event was advertised as exploring themes including decolonial interpretations of Islam, anti-imperialist political analysis, and strategies for student activism.

“I’m with the muqawamah (the resistance) be it Hamas and Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad but up to a point – given ultimate differences over our ethical political commitments.”

Dr Abdou, whose work spans Islamic studies, anarchism, and decolonial theory, previously held an academic position at Columbia University until April 2024. His departure followed controversy over public statements he made after 7 October 2023, including: “I’m with the muqawamah (the resistance) be it Hamas and Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad but up to a point – given ultimate differences over our ethical political commitments.”

Expressing support for proscribed terrorist organisations is illegal in the United Kingdom under the Terrorism Act (2000). Hamas and Hezbollah are both proscribed by the UK Government. 

Despite the cancellation, organisers relocated the event to an alternative lecture theatre on campus. GUJPS stated that the talk was later interrupted again by security, prompting a further move to another university building where the event ultimately concluded.

Speaking before the US Congress on 17 April 2024, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik stated unequivocally: “He will never work at Columbia again,” confirming that Dr Abdou’s contract had been terminated. 

The decision drew sharp criticism from the American Association of University Professors, whose president Irene Mulvey warned that “President Shafik’s public naming of professors under investigation to placate a hostile committee sets a dangerous precedent for academic freedom and has echoes of the cowardice often displayed during the McCarthy era.”

“The University of Glasgow abhors the glorification of violence and condemns any celebration of violent acts.”

In a statement following the event on campus, Dr Abdou said: 

“The tour is called ‘Death to the Akademy.’ … the whole point is a confrontation with the university not a collaboration with it,” adding that organisers anticipated attempts to shut events down given “the tour title, the different topics, the rhetoric, call to action and my profile.”

A University of Glasgow spokesperson did not comment directly on the specific circumstances surrounding the QMU booking but emphasised broader institutional principles:

“Universities are a place for debate, and it’s important that we continue to uphold the principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech. This includes the right of everyone to express their political views and the right to protest, and we fully recognise and respect the right of students and staff to do so within the law.

“However, hate has no place in our University. The University of Glasgow abhors the glorification of violence and condemns any celebration of violent acts. We call on all members of the community to uphold the University’s values of tolerance and respect to others.”

The Queen Margaret Union, Dr Abdou, and GUJPS did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.

Updated Security Room Booking Guidelines

The incident comes amid updated university room-booking procedures for the 2026/27 academic year. Under new guidelines aligned with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, events may be subject to security risk assessments prior to approval.

According to the policy, bookings are not confirmed until reviewed by both the Space Management and Timetabling Team and the university’s security services. It remains unclear whether these procedures played a role in the decision to withdraw the QMU booking.

GUJPS described the cancellation as a “a clear act of islamophobia”, framing it as part of a broader pattern of restrictions on pro-Palestinian organising. In its statement, the society additionally linked the cancellation to the hosting of an iftar after the talk.

No formal explanation has been provided publicly regarding the precise grounds on which the original booking was withdrawn. No further disciplinary action or official investigation related to the event has been announced by the University.