Student's anger over university terrorism investigation
Staffordshire University has apologised after a student said he was accused of being a terrorist.
Mohammed Umar Farooq, aged 33, was spotted reading the 'Terrorism Studies' book while studying for a masters' degree in terrorism, crime and global security.
As he flicked through the pages, he was approached by a library official who then quizzed him about his attitudes toward homosexuality, Islam and terrorist groups including the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaida, Mr Farooq said.
Mr Farooq was then reported to security guards and the university then spent three months investigating but found nothing.
Mr Farooq said: "I was reading an academic textbook and minding my own business. At first I thought I'd just laugh it off as a joke."
He then realised the conversation was serious and as a result left his course, and decided to instruct a lawyer to help him challenge the claims.
"The implications if I did not challenge this could be serious for me," he said.
"I could go on a police list, I could be investigated without my knowledge. This could happen to any young Muslim lad.
"I had to fight back."
Staffordshire University has disputed some aspects of Mr Farooq's claim but university registrar Dr Noel Morrison said: "We are very sorry that a misjudged situation has impacted on this student."
"We do, however, have the right policies and procedures in place and are confident that the situation was investigated and concluded appropriately.
"We have apologised to Mr Farooq and are in dialogue with him on how we can support him to continue his studies with us."
