At an Oxford Union debate on the motion “The West is Right to be Suspicious of Islam,” British far-right activist Tommy Robinson argued that Islam must be judged by the Quran and Hadith rather than modern interpretations. Citing verses on homosexuality, adultery, child marriage and treatment of minorities, he claimed these texts justify Western fears, while opponents accused him of selective, decontextualised readings.
THE DEBATE around Islam in the West remains a controversial topic, especially at a time when many local citizens and political leaders are openly championing anti-immigrant policies. The Oxford Union, held a highly contentious debate on such a topic, arguing on the motion, “The West is Right to be Suspicious of Islam,” the video of which was posted on the debating society’s official YouTube channel on July 31, 2026.
During the highly controversial debate, which reportedly sparked protest from Muslims even before it began, British far-right and anti-immigrant activist Tommy Robinson quoted verses that he claimed were from the Quran and the Hadith, while speaking in favour of the motion. He argued that Islam should be judged by its foundational religious texts rather than by how each individual Muslim interpret or practise it today.
Robinson began his speech in gest, saying he had “much rather be watching the England game” but came for the debate because of the Oxford Union's commitment to free speech. While addressing the protestors and the opposition, he said, “It’s not my supporters who are causing a rabble or smashing the place up and attacking police officers. It's not supporters on our side of the debate either. It's supporters on your side of the debate who are out there causing mayhem.”
Drawing from his experience of growing up in Luton, which he claimed had 80,000 Muslims—comprising about 33% of the population, Robinson argued that he had witnessed the effects of Islamic communities more closely than the one speaking against the motion, particularly pointing to British politician Jacob Rees-Mogg's constituency, which he claimed had only around 480 Muslims.
“Why would a non-Muslim be telling any of us that we shouldn't be suspicious of Islam?” Robinson questioned Mogg’s legitimacy in the debate. He then argued that Islam cannot be redefined by modern believers. “Islam is defined in the Quran,” Robinson said. “Muslims believe the Quran to be the word of Allah... And it's the Sunnah, defined in the Hadiths which record his sayings, actions, and silence approvals or disapproval of Muhammad."
Rejecting attempts to interpret Islam differently, he claimed that it is not about how the opposition or he himself defines it, it is about how the scriptures have defined it. Quoting a passage referring to Christians of Najran, Robinson argued that Islam's invitation to “common ground” required acceptance of Islamic beliefs, claiming that Christians would have to reject the divinity of Jesus.
A major part of Robinson's speech focused on homosexuality and punishments prescribed under the traditional Islamic law. Referring to the story of Prophet Lot in the Quran, Robinson claimed that homosexuality is condemned in Islam and argued that four of the five major schools of Islamic law prescribe death as punishment for it.
He further claimed that 24 Muslim-majority countries criminalise homosexuality, with eight imposing the death penalty, naming Afghanistan, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Yemen among them. “If you're gay you might maybe be a little bit suspicious of this,” Robinson said, arguing for the motion.
When challenged from the opposition over whether the Quran itself explicitly mandates execution for homosexuality, Robinson replied that the issue should instead be taken up with countries and organisations enforcing such punishments under the Islamic rule. He said, “You don't need to convince me, mate. You need to convince the Islamic countries that are killing them. Go have your argument with Hamas. Go have your argument with ISIS.”
Robinson also cited Quran 24:2, claiming it prescribes “100 lashes for the male and the female involved in what Islam considers illegal sexual intercourse.” He further claimed that all major schools of Islamic law prescribe death by stoning for married offenders. Referring to a 2023 seminar by the head imam of Green Lane Mosque, Robinson alleged that he explained how women should be buried before stoning “to preserve her modesty.”
During his speech, Robinson repeatedly asked the audience whether they could at least agree that killing people because of their sexuality or stoning people for sex outside marriage could never be justified.
Continuing his argument, Robinson claimed that extremist groups such as ISIS drew inspiration from Islamic scripture, arguing that this was one of the reasons the West should be suspicious of Islam. Referring to ISIS' 2014 massacre of Yazidi men and boys, Robinson described how captives were allegedly separated based on signs of puberty before being executed. He said, “[Yazidis had] surrendered. They pulled their pants down. Anyone who's had any pubic hair, was shot in the head, and some of them had their heads cut off with knives. You can watch the videos if you want online.”
The far-right activist claimed that ISIS was following the example of Muhammad presiding over the execution of 900 men and boys from the Jewish tribe, who had surrendered. Robinson also argued that the near absence of Jewish communities in countries where Islam is the state religion, along with the decline of Christian populations in several Muslim-majority nations, reflected what he described as an example set by Muhammad.
Can we at least agree today Muhammad was not and is not the perfect example for mankind? Nor is he an exalted example of moral excellence?Tommy Robinson
While allegedly quoting Muhammad’s narration from Sahih Muslim, a collection of Hadiths, Robinson said, “I will certainly expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslim.”
Robinson then shifted to the subject of child marriage, asking the audience whether they believed it was acceptable for an older man to marry a six-year-old child and consummate the marriage when she was nine. Without naming Aisha immediately, he said Muslims who believe Muhammad was the perfect example for mankind must also confront the traditional accounts of his marriage.
“He married a six-year-old, had sex with her when she was nine,” Robinson said, arguing that this was incompatible with modern moral standards. He also referred to Quran 65:4, which discusses the waiting period (iddah) after divorce for certain categories of women. He argued that the verse includes girls who have not yet reached puberty and therefore demonstrates that Islamic law recognised marriages involving children who have not hit puberty. Reading from the verse, he highlighted the phrase referring to “those who have not yet started your periods.” Robinson went on to link the issue to contemporary child marriage, claiming that seven of the 10 countries with the world's highest child marriage rates are Muslim-majority nations.
In his closing remarks, Robinson returned to what he described as the central question of the debate. He asked whether the audience could agree that “executing prisoners of war including young boys,” carrying out ethnic cleansing of Jews and Christians,” or “marrying a little child” should not be viewed as morally acceptable.
“Can we at least agree today Muhammad was not and is not the perfect example for mankind?” Robinson asked to the house. “Nor is he an exalted example of moral excellence?”
Throughout the debate, speakers opposing the motion disputed Robinson's interpretation of Islamic sources, arguing that he selectively quoted religious texts, ignored their historical context, and overlooked the fact that the overwhelming majority of Muslims reject violent or extremist interpretations.
However, Robinson maintained that the religion's sacred texts, the example of Muhammad, and the way those teachings are interpreted by millions of Muslims today justifies the West’s suspicion of Islam.
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