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ISSUE 864 MARCH 10 2008 CARDIFF’S STUDENT WEEKLY free word - EST. 1972
SCIENCE&ENVIRONMENT/FEATURES/OPINION/RASPUTIN PHOTO: Natalia Popova
“Spokesman for terrorists” makes student address
Controversial editor of Hezbollah’s newspaper, Ibrahim Mousawi, speaks at Cardiff as part of a national anti-war campaign Portia Nicholson News Reporter Cardiff University hosted an evening with controversial speaker Ibrahim Mousawi, the editor of Hezbollah’s newspaper, in a World Against War event last week. The event, which had been criticised beforehand by local media reports, saw leaders of social movements in the Middle East and Britain come together to discuss the occupation of Iraq. Chris Nineham, from the Stop the War Coalition, Hassan Juma’a, the President of Iraqi Oil Workers’ Union, and Prof. Justin Lewis, from Cardiff University School of Journalism, also spoke to an audience of over 200
people. Held in the Law Building on Monday March 3, the speakers called for a complete end to the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as urging for opposition to be voiced concerning any attack against Iran. The speakers also discussed the broader struggle against war around the world and against continuing threats from the US administration. But the event had been submerged in negative media attention due to Mousawi’s attendance, focusing on how he had been previously dubbed “a spokesman for terrorists”. In a national tour of the World Against War movement, which culminates in a worldwide day of protest, Mousawi left a trail of media upset in
many of the towns he visited. One newspaper in Liverpool wrote: “A Middle East activist accused of defending the murder of women and children is coming to Liverpool.” The Conservative Party, including leader David Cameron, has tried and failed to have Mousawi banned from Britain, saying that he is a “vicious antisemite” and a supporter of terrorism. But Mousawi, who is banned from both France and Ireland, has denied that he is anti-semitic. He said: “People have the right to live in peace and without fear of their homes being invaded. “We must all denounce war and we must all fight together to stop the killing.” He also made direct reference to
the terrorist label imposed on him by government and media opposition, urging his audience to “make up their own minds” and research him. Dr Paul Mason, from Cardiff University School of Journalism, was critical of the event’s bad press. He said: “Had any of these people bothered to attend, they would have witnessed a moving, human account of what happens when a super-power chooses to invade your country on the spurious grounds of ‘regime change’.” Dr Mason also stressed that journalists had misinterpreted Mousawi’s visit. He said: “This wasn’t a call to arms, or a rallying cry for the psychotic and murderous, but two first-hand accounts of America’s and Israel’s brutal actions
in Iraq and Lebanon. There’s your terrorism.” One of the organisers, Max Pettigrew, a PhD student at Cardiff University, was impressed with the turnout at the evening. Speaking to gair rhydd he said: “The rally indicated how many people want an end to the wars on people in the Middle East and an end to the war on our minds in the UK.” He urged students to “keep active on campus” and to attend the upcoming anti-war demonstration in London on March 15. The rally will form part of a global day of protests and marks the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. For more information visit www. stopwar.org.uk.
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