University of Cambridge hires academic with former ties to extremist group

The University of Cambridge is facing scrutiny following the appointment of Farah Ahmed as an assistant research professor in its faculty of education. Ahmed, who is responsible for teaching undergraduates and supervising postgraduate research, was previously a member of the now-proscribed extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Ahmed confirmed in 2010 that she had left the organization because she did not agree with all of its political views. However, she authored a pamphlet titled ‘Education and Identity’ in which she described western education as a ‘threat’ to Muslim communities in Britain and characterized democracy as a ‘corrupt tradition.’

The controversy adds further pressure to Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice. The university is already managing the fallout from the resignation of Professor Jason Arday following allegations of plagiarism, as well as an employment tribunal ruling regarding a whistleblower's grievances. A spokesperson for the Faculty of Education stated that the institution is committed to academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law.