Oxford Union's Palestinian president on why she invited Tommy Robinson to debate Islam

Oxford Union's Palestinian president on why she invited Tommy Robinson to debate Islam Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 05/21/2026 - 11:10 Arwa Elrayess says she aims to show Muslims are not afraid of scrutiny as outrage escalates over planned event British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, at a rally organised by Unite The Kingdom, in London on 16 May (AFP) Off Another term, another Oxford Union scandal. This time the highly prestigious free speech society has invited far-right activist Tommy Robinson to a debate on Islam.  Outrage has erupted. Hundreds of people have signed an open letter against the decision. A bishop and an imam have come together to publish a joint statement denouncing it. Former cabinet minister Anneleise Dodds has condemned the invite. Protests are anticipated and the event may be made impossible due to security risks. Some believe the union will soon be forced to cancel the debate. But there's a plot twist: the president of the Oxford Union this term is a Muslim student, of Palestinian origin. On Wednesday Middle East Eye went to Oxford to meet Arwa Elrayess, aged 20. The meeting was held in the union's wood-pannelled Gladstone Room, named after the former British prime minister and union president William Gladstone. It has high, painted ceilings and bookshelves boasting the historic archives of famous British newspapers. With its numerous leather armchairs, in a more permissive time it was the society's smoking room. The cabinet table by the window was used by Gladstone to meet his cabinet ministers. According to union lore, Elrayess explained, the desk is semi-circular so Gladstone could look each of hi...

Original source: Middle East Eye