Hamza Tzortzis

Hamza Andreas Tzortzis is a British researcher[1] and Muslim convert of Greek heritage who has been associated with extreme Islamist positions and Islamic extremists.[2] The Telegraph says that Tzortzis "has called for an Islamic state, expressed his hostility towards Western values and stated that: 'We as Muslims reject the idea of freedom of speech, and even of freedom.'"[2][3]

Career

Tzortzis is, according to The Telegraph, "a former researcher for the hardline Hittin Institute and chaired the launch event of iERA, an umbrella organisation hosting many well-known British Muslim extremists who preach opposition to democracy and hatred against homosexuals and Jews."[2] In 2015 he was a finalist for Religious Advocate of the Year at the British Muslim Awards.[4] Noting that Keele University had cancelled a speech by Tzortzis, in 2016 the Stoke Sentinel called him a "radical Islamic speaker ... a former member of the radical group Hizb ut-Tahrir which believes in the idea of an Islamic state ... who supports Sharia law ... [and has] also been linked to controversial comments on homosexuality and a series of other issues."[5] According to Metro, Tzortzis has "claimed that those who leave the Islamic faith ‘should be killed.'"[6] In a 2016 media interview in Australia, Tzortzis "defended himself against reports he supports child rape" and pointed to an apology he had earlier made for his comment on the killing of apostates.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Haroon Siddique. "Three-quarters of non-Muslims believe Islam negative for Britain". The Guardian, 2 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Andrew Gilligan. "Speaker with extremist links to address Detroit bomber's former student group". The Telegraph, 18 January 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  3. ↑ Zeyno Baran with Emmet Tuohy (2011). Citizen Islam: The Future of Muslim Integration in the West. Continuum Publishing Group. p. 127. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "British Muslim Awards 2015 finalists unveiled". Asian Image, 23 January 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  5. ↑ Kathie McInnes. "Keele University cancels visit from radical Islamic speaker Hamza Tzortzis". The Sentinel, 1 March 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  6. ↑ Nicholas Reilly. "Islamic preacher 'named' on the leaked list of Ashley Madison members". Metro, 23 August 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  7. ↑ Rohan Smith (17 February 2016). "So-called radical aiming to speak at Australian Muslim conference declares: "I'm a peaceful hippie"". news.com.au. Retrieved 10 August 2016.

External links

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