“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me”; we’ve all heard the familiar nursery rhyme designed to cheer up child victims of verbal bullying by reminding them that at least they weren’t battered with rocks. In fact, many people would agree that physical actions have more severe consequences than words, […]
Terrorism
Why the threat of terror will never go away
Ayoub El Khazzani, David Ali Sonboly, Riaz Khan Ahmadzai, Medhi Nemmouche, Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel. The connection between these jihadists – who waged terror and destruction this summer – becomes vague as we dismiss the tenuous claims from ISIS that they, in fact, were part of a coherent network loyal to the caliphate. No, instead these […]
When beer gets political – a look at Oktoberfest
Binge drinking is a concept commonly frowned upon amidst civilised societies and yet for two weeks from September through to October (17 September to 3 October) an internationally-lauded event disregards these social rules and somehow avoids being negatively connoted. Oktoberfest is viewed internationally as a stereotypical German experience, attracting crowds upwards of six million to Munich, a […]
What should we make of the terror attacks on Brussels and Lahore?
The Easter week represents the most important period in the Christian calendar, and is seen as a time of peace and hope. Perhaps this fact contributed to the timing of the shocking terrorist attacks which rocked Brussels and Lahore last week; it certainly seems to have been a factor in the latter, in which the […]
The Foreign Perspective: the issue of citizenship
In the aftermath of the Paris attacks in November last year the French President, Francois Hollande, saw his chance to unite the French people against a common enemy. He announced his decision to join the coalition bombing campaign against ISIS and introduced a policy change regarding French citizenship, stating on November 16th, “We must be […]
Islam does not foster terrorism, but thinking otherwise has the potential to
The dominant topic on the minds of many over the week needs little introduction. On the whole, people have shown admirable gestures of peace and support in times of destruction, hatred and violence – but the integrity of these gestures is short lived in some, with some people discrediting the feelings of solidarity by closemindedly […]
What might the attacks on Paris mean for Syria?
Amongst expressions of grief and sympathy for victims of the terror attack on Paris on the 13th of this month, talk soon turned to Syria. French President Francois Hollande called for more attacks against ISIS bases in the war-torn country almost as soon as he had left the Stade de France, and media outlets were […]
Vigil for humanity 15/11/15 – in pictures
Pictures taken at the candle lit vigil outside the forum to show support for the people of Paris, Beirut and other places where atrocities have occurred. Exeposé‘s article can be read here. XTV’s footage of the event can be seen here.
Over 1,000 attend ‘Vigil for Humanity’
O ver 1,000 students and members of the public attended a candlelit vigil to remember victims of the Paris and Beirut terror attacks yesterday evening. The event, entitled ‘Vigil for Humanity’ and organised by Lizzie Swyer, took place on the Great Hall piazza. Nearly 2,000 people were believed to have been in attendance. President of […]