Tension erupted in the Susquehanna Room of the Old University Union on Wednesday when best-selling author Robert Spencer spoke to Binghamton University students in recognition of Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week.
The speech, which was sponsored by the Binghamton University Zionist Organization, was held as part of the David Horowitz Freedom Center’s Islamo-Fascism protests. The Center sponsored a protest last year at 100 college campuses against the suppression of the film “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West” at Pace University, and held similar protests this month at schools across the country.
During the speech, Spencer explained his belief that various Islamic organizations around the world are attempting to replace American law with traditional Islamic law. He wasted no time delivering his message.
“I’m here to call upon you all to stand with me to protect American principles under attack, such as freedom of speech, freedom of conscience and equal rights under the law,” he said near the beginning of his speech.
Subjugation under traditional Islamic law would mean denying all Americans the principal freedoms they all exercise today, Spencer said.
“Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of any free society,” he said. “By denying it is to give a protected class rights above and beyond others.”
These freedoms shouldn’t just be available for U.S. citizens, but for everyone around the world, Spencer added.
“The division of human rights is not just for the West, but it is international and should be available for all humanity,” he said.
Throughout the speech Spencer quoted verses from the Quran, citing a history of violence in Islam and its influence on the political and social visions of its followers.
It was evident that many of those in attendance were outraged by these statements.
John Honohan, a senior majoring in Arabic studies, recalled the atmosphere in the Susquehanna Room.
“I could tell there was … tension in the room,” Honohan said. “I was looking forward to the ensuing controversy.”
Tempers flared after Spencer’s speech, when the floor opened up for questions from the audience.
Members of the audience challenged Spencer’s interpretation of Islam and whether he was accurate in his assessment of it. At one point Spencer and a member of the audience engaged in a shouting match.
“Your argument is not with me, it is with Muslims around the world advocating the subjugation of people under Islamic law,” he said. “I will say what I want and what I say is the truth, and the truth might hurt you.”
Abid Hossain, a junior double majoring in philosophy, politics and law and economics, and treasurer of the Muslim Student Association, adamantly disagreed with many parts of Spencer’s speech.
“I thought the speech was very frustrating,” Hossain said. “He took things out of context and made generalizations that were inaccurate about Islam and Muslims.”
Hossain said he also feels that Spencer avoided questions from the audience that would put him in a negative light and make him look like a radical. According to Hossain, he attempted to portray himself as a moderate when he clearly wasn’t.
“He first said that not all Muslims support the views of extremists, but later answered that Islam is not a religion of peace,” he said. “This is implying that all Muslims are radical, which is completely false.”
Spencer is the author of The New York Times best-selling book “The Truth About Mohammed: The Founder of the World’s Most Intolerant Religion” and the director of Jihad Watch (jihadwatch.org), a blog concerning radical Islam’s war on the West.