British Law Professor Under Fire Over ‘Islamophobic' Statements

A British university professor has come under mounting criticism over what students described as his “Islamophobic” remarks and taught content.

In a statement last week, the University of Bristol's Islamic Society (BRISOC) said it was “alarmed by multiple complaints against Professor Steven Greer of the Law School for his reported use of discriminatory remarks and Islamophobic rhetoric”.

Law students have claimed Greer “frequently expressed views in class that can be deemed Islamophobic, bigoted and divisive”, said the statement, which was signed by several other student societies.

Although Greer's accusers have gone public, he has been barred by the university from making any comment on the allegations because they are subject to an ongoing investigation and he is bound by a duty of confidentiality.

He did however tell Al Jazeera he rejects the allegations.

BRISOC's president, Aamir Mohamed, told Al Jazeera the first complaints came last September and the society lodged a formal complaint with the university in November.

A law student at the university told Al Jazeera he filed an independent complaint about Greer last year.

BRISOC is demanding an official apology from Greer and the removal of content it considers to be problematic, in a human rights module.

The society also seeks an apology from the university for “funding, supporting and promoting” Greer's work and for its “delayed updates” since the complaint was made, said the statement.

The university told Al Jazeera it has launched a process to address the issue.

‘Islamophobic' content

The principle complaint against Greer relates to a human rights module he teaches, titled Human Rights in Law, Politics and Society.