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An Iranian-American university professor and senior political analyst, Kaveh Afrasiabi, has detailed US police brutality against him while in custody in Cambridge. Speaking to Press TV in an exclusive interview on Thurday, Afrasiabi said that police denied him his constitutional rights and racially discriminated against him.

Cambridge University Islamic Society's Experience Islam Week 2011: Who was the man who brought forth this religion?

[24 July 2012] Abdul Jabbar Sloot: My journey to Islam - English In this edition of the show we talk to Abdul Jabbar Sloot about his journey to Islam. He talks about his challenges and changes as a Muslim convert in Britain before and after embracing the world's fastest-growing religion. Before converting to Islam, 42-year old Abdul was constantly seeking for a way to reach the divine. He even took part in official drug testing as a way to reach what he thought was a more spiritual state of life. However, he soon realized that this was not the right path for him. Having grown up in a tiny English countryside village close to Cambridge, Abdul went to church every Sunday as a child and took part in all the activities held by the local Christian community. But as he grew up, he was not satisfied. After getting married he had several hallucinations that lead him to speak with a college tutor who introduced him to a Sheikh in Tottenham. His first conversation with the Sheikh inspired him so much that he took his shahada the very next day. A few months later his wife, too converted to Islam, after having a series of conversations with the same sheikh. The sheikh played such an important role in their decision-making process, and they feel an enormous gratitude to him for helping them on the right path towards Islam. They now have 5 children whom they have brought up as Muslim and lead a simple and peaceful life in the English countryside. Both Abdul and his wife take great pleasure in educating their children at home, away from "mainstream" ideas and behaviors.

This week's Epilogue is reviewing 'Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner's Guide' written by Ben White who has applied his considerable intellect to the way Israel's laws applied to only some of its citizens. Ben White is a freelance journalist and writer specializing in Palestine and Israel. He also writes on the broader Middle East, Islam and Christianity, and the 'war on terror.' Ben has been to Palestine many times since 2003 and has a BA in English Literature from Cambridge University.

Video available upon request: email press [dot] moa [at] gmail [dot] com The speech of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was interrupted repeatedly by protesters opposed to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. The activists are from the Move Over AIPAC coalition led by CODEPINK: Women for Peace. The protesters, 5 in all, rose one by one, unfurled banners, and chanted slogans. In response to Netanyahu’s claim that returning to the 1967 borders would be “indefensible,” activists called out that various aspects of Israel’s policy are indefensible. They were escorted out by security, but not before they made a highly visible protest against the theft of Palestinian land, the siege of Gaza, denial of the rights of Palestinian refugees, silencing dissent, and destruction of homes and schools. “Growing up as the son of Holocaust survivor, I learned that it is everyone’s job to stand up for others when they are persecuted, and I learned what happens when we don’t defend humanity. Now, it is my job to stand up in support of Palestinians, saying, ‘bombing schools is indefensible, bulldozing homes is indefensible, ’” said Jewish American protester Rick Colbath-Hess, 53 from Cambridge, Massachusetts. “As a young Jewish person it is important for me to stand up today and tell Netanyahu and AIPAC that their voices do not represent me,” said Ariel Vegosen, 30, from Valley Stream, New York, “I will not allow my faith to be misused as a weapon, covering up the theft of Palestinians’ homes and livelihoods. Judaism teaches me to stand up when I see oppression— discrimination is not a Jewish value and does not make Israel safer. Occupying Palestinian land is indefensible.” Bruce Taub, 71, from Massachusetts and associated with American Jews for a Just Peace, was another protester. “As a Jewish man, I come from a people who have been scattered about the world without losing their identity. I will not sit by and allow Palestinian refugees to be denied their rights and peoplehood in a country that would allow me to become a citizen even though I have no ties there. Displacing refugees is indefensible.” said Taub, 71. Chelsea Byers, 21 year old college student from Arizona who is an intern with CODEPINK, said “I am protesting AIPAC and Netanyahu because I am disappointed and enraged that the US supports human rights violations by Israel. This includes killing, injuring, and locking up nonviolent protesters fighting for the same human rights I am. I am appalled that $3 billion US tax dollars goes to fund the perpetuation of violence instead of building a more sustainable future. Silencing dissent is indefensible.” “In a mere three weeks, Israel killed 1400 Gazans, and since the siege on Gaza began , thousands have died from being denied access to health-care, drinkable water, bodily security and humanity,” stated Sasha Gelzin of Washington D.C. “Since Palestinians can’t confront Netanyahu and remind him of their daily condition, we are doing that tonight. Starving Gaza is indefensible; dropping white phosphorous bombs is indefensible. ” This action is part of a week-long set of actions protesting the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC and its unconditional support for Israel. Tomorrow, activists will be in the halls of Congress during PM Netanyahu’s speech. To read more about Move Over AIPAC events, visit the website at www.MoveOverAIPAC.org.

In a first for British television, from the director/producer of the acclaimed Seven Wonders Of The Muslim World, Faris Kermani (Crescent Films), The Life Of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) charts the extraordinary story of a man who, in little more than 20 years, changed the world forever. In a journey that is both literal and historical, Rageh Omaar travels to the place of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH)birth to re-trace the actual footsteps of the Prophet; from humble beginnings in Mecca, to his struggles with accepting his Prophetic role, his flight to Medina, to the founding of the first Islamic constitution, and his subsequent military and political successes and failures -- through to his death and his legacy. Filmed on location in Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem, Turkey, Syria, the USA, the UK and Jordan the series also draws on the expertise and comment from some of the world's leading academics and commentators on Islam, including, amongst others: Tariq Ramadan (academic and fellow of St Anthony's College, Oxford), Ziauddin Sardar (writer and broadcaster), Tom Holland (historian and author), HRH Princess Badiya El Hassan of the Jordanian Royal Family, Amira K Bennison (Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, Cambridge University), Sajjad Rizvi (Associate Professor of Islamic Intellectual History, Exeter University), Bishop Nazir-Ali (Author of Islam: A Christian Perspective) and John L Esposito (Professor of Religion and International Affairs and Islamic Studies, Georgetown University). Raising questions about Islam's role in the world today and exploring where Islam's attitudes towards money, charity, women, social equality, religious tolerance, war and conflict originate, the series offers a fascinating, timely and truly unique insight into the Islamic faith.

The 10th annual campaign against the Israeli apartheid has kicked off in the United States and Britain. Similar events are expected to be held in other parts of the world in March. The Israeli Apartheid Week is marked in over 200 cities around the world. The initiative is part of the international boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel, in response to its continued occupation of the Palestinian territories. Most events take place on university campuses and are organized by pro-Palestinian student groups. In England, events will take place at Oxford, Cambridge, the London School of Economics as well as other prestigious institutions.