UCLU offer support to NUS officer who opposed anti-ISIS motion

UCLU Sabbs have offered a public show of support for the NUS officer who controversially defeated a motion condemning ISIS terrorists.

Black Students’ Officer Malia Bouattia led a bloc which successfully defeated a proposal in favour of Iraqi/Kurdish solidarity at a meeting of the NUS’ National Executive Council last month.

Malia Bouattia is the NUS’ Black Students Officer

But Bouattia had argued that the motion’s resolution to “encourage students to boycott anyone found to be funding the IS or supplying them with goods, training, travel or soldiers” was Islamophobic.

The motion, which was proposed by ex-ULU Vice President Daniel Cooper, also denounced the militants’ use of sexual violence, criticised US military intervention, and pledged support to those affected by the devastating humanitarian crisis.

Bouattia’s opposition ensured that a vote on the issue was delayed until the NEC’s next meeting, when another motion could be proposed and debated – one that would “in no way pander to Western imperialistic intervention or the demonisation of Muslim peoples”.

The heated dispute meant that Bouattia quickly became the centre of a media storm.

Begum posted this statement on behalf of the UCLU Sabb team

And despite public criticism of her uncompromising stance on the motion, UCLU have publicly backed Bouattia in a statement that hits out against media coverage of the high-profile story.

A spokesperson said: “The elected NUS Black Students Officer Malia Bouattia has been threatened and vilified on a national level.

“As a woman of colour and a Muslim, Malia has been subject to sensationalist national newspaper headlines (such as by the Daily Mail) suggesting she is a terrorist sympathizer and she and her family have received death threats.

“This type of abuse is all too familiar to those with knowledge of the ways in which politically active Muslims are marginalised, demonised and railed against. The vicious abuse experienced by Malia is also notable for its racist and misogynistic intent and content.

“We condemn the sexist, racist and anti-Muslim abuse experienced by Malia Bouattia and stand by Malia during this difficult time.”

UCLU BME officer Hajera Begum

Speaking to The Tab, UCLU’s Black and Minority Ethnic Students Officer Hajera Begum said: “The first thing Malia did was denounce ISIS.”

“However, she also felt the wording of the motion would demonise Muslims on campus.”

A number of other student organisations have also come out in support of Bouattia, including the SOAS Students’ Union, the University of Birmingham Guild of Students and the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts.