Cambridge professor called western education a threat to Islam
The Spectator and The Times published investigations into her previous involvement with the Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir and her statements about British education.
What did she actually say?
The Muslim community as a whole in Britain needs to recognise that western education is a threat to our beliefs and values.
The reporting also identified several other controversial positions she had expressed:
Democracy: She described democracy as a corrupt tradition.
Integration: She criticised attempts by British schools to integrate Muslim children.
Child marriage: She criticised how British education portrayed marriage below the age of 16 and polygamy.
Religious education: She objected to Islam being presented alongside other religions as equally valid.
English literature: She argued that Shakespeare and fairy tales could transmit secular beliefs contrary to Islam.
Her links to Hizb ut-Tahrir
Hizb ut-Tahrir was banned in Britain as a terrorist organisation in January 2024.
Ahmed acknowledged past membership but said in 2010 that she had left the organisation several years earlier and did not agree with all its political positions.
What did Cambridge say?
Cambridge defended the importance of academic freedom and lawful debate.