Resources

Explore our pages of knowledge, skills and advice.
Get informed and get active.

My colleague has been accused of terrorism or extremist sympathies.

Colleague accused

In the present climate, accusations have been made that are unfounded. This particularly affects academic staff involved in Islamic Studies, including non-Muslim scholars. Do not assume the accusations are reliable.

Be sure that you follow your university's policies at all times, and if in a position of seniority or responsibility for your colleague, be sure to take legal advice. Avoid any discriminatory conduct or victimisation.

You will naturally be extremely anxious about discovering the truth behind the allegations. Your position vis-à-vis your colleague and the quality of your relationship with him or her will determine whether it is appropriate to discuss the situation directly. If you intend to do so, you may like to refresh your communication skills for difficult situations.

Be cautious about going outside the circle of responsibility to try to find out more about these allegations; bear in mind the need to protect an individual who is now highly vulnerable, even if suspect. Be cautious and properly sceptical about 'experts' offering advice and assessments. The counter-terrorism industry has grown exponentially and those claiming expertise on the basis of their 'research' might not pass the tests for methodology and objectivity that you would apply to scientific endeavour.

It is likely that the media will be taking an active interest in the case if the allegations have been made public. Be sure that your external relations department are on side and are prepared, and that anything that is said has been cleared with the college's solicitor. Discourage individual students or staff from giving their own statements to the media; it could be prejudicial to any eventual case or damaging to the reputation of the lecturer or the institution. Give thought to whose name will be attached to the statement or press release. It is likely to be taken up in media and blogs internationally and replicated ad infinitum. If the statement is made in the name of a staff member, the name of this innocent colleague who releases the statement can be forever associated with terrorism charges, deliberately or accidentally, once 'guilt-by-association' becomes 'smear-by-Google'.

  • Posted by campusalam
  • Resource title My colleague has been accused of terrorism or extremist sympathies.
  • Tags