DistantNews
Support us
University of Oslo cancels event with controversial preacher
🇳🇴 Norway /Culture & Society

University of Oslo cancels event with controversial preacher

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The University of Oslo has canceled an event featuring American preacher Mohamad Baajour, who has been denied entry to several European countries.
  • The university cited a violation of its rules for lending premises, specifically the involvement of a commercial entity and ticket fees.
  • Baajour is described by a terror researcher as a "hate preacher" known for antisemitic remarks and support for Hamas.

The University of Oslo has halted an event scheduled for Friday that was set to feature American preacher Mohamad Baajour. The decision came after the university became aware that the event violated its guidelines for lending premises to student organizations. Specifically, a commercial entity was involved, and a ticket fee was being charged, according to UiO rector Ragnhild Hennum.

We were made aware today that this event violated our guidelines for lending premises to student organizations. It turned out that a commercial entity was involved in the arrangement, and that a ticket fee was charged. The event will therefore not take place in our premises.

— Ragnhild HennumExplaining the University of Oslo's decision to cancel the event.

Baajour has faced entry bans in several European countries, including the United Kingdom and Denmark, in recent months. He previously canceled a planned European tour in January after multiple countries closed their borders to him. The university stressed that its decision to cancel the event was not based on the content of Baajour's planned speech.

Hennum emphasized the university's commitment to being an arena for debate and discussion, stating, "We do not engage in pre-censorship; we must tolerate disagreement and meet it with factual accuracy and respect." However, terror researcher Magnus Ranstorp described Baajour as a "hate preacher" known for antisemitic statements, support for Hamas, warnings against Jewish people, and advocating for Sharia punishments like hand amputation for theft.

One of the university's most important tasks is to be an arena for debate and discussion and exchange of opinions. We do not engage in pre-censorship; we must tolerate disagreement and meet it with factual accuracy and respect.

— Ragnhild HennumClarifying that the decision was not based on the content of the event.

The event was organized by the Muslim Students' Society. The university's decision means the event will not take place on its premises.

hate preacher known for antisemitic statements, support for and praise of Hamas, warnings against Jews and defense of Sharia punishment such as amputation of the hand for theft.

— Magnus RanstorpDescribing Mohamad Baajour's background and controversial views.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog