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Extreme Islamic preachers do not only appear on university campuses at the request of radicalized students; increasingly, extremists are afforded a university platform, with all the credibility that comes with it, by the academics themselves.
The Centre for the Study of Islam, based at the University of Cardiff in Wales, for instance, has recently announced a lecture series starting this February. The Centre was opened in 2005 by Yusuf Islam, the former musician known as Cat Stevens who has called for apostates and adulterous women to be stoned to death. In keeping with that spirit, one of the presentations this February is to be delivered by Muhammad ibn Adam Al-Kawthari, who will be discussing "The Role of a Mufti in Modern Society."
Speaking to Wales Online, the Centre's Director, Dr Sophie Gilliat-Ray, said, "We've managed to attract some of the leading experts to offer thought-provoking insights into various aspects of Muslim life in the UK."