London: The British government has framed a plan to ask lecturers and university staff across the country to spy on "Asian-looking" and Muslim students they suspect of involvement in Islamic extremism and supporting terrorist violence.
According to The Guardian, the plan has been drawn up by the Department of Education and it will be sent to universities and other centres of higher education before the end of the year.
"While radicalisation may not be widespread, there is some evidence to suggest that students at further and higher educational establishments have been involved in terrorist-related activity, which could include actively radicalising fellow students on campus," an 18-page document claims, adding "perhaps most importantly, universities and colleges provide a fertile recruiting ground for students."
"There are different categories of students who may be ‘sucked in’ to an Islamist extremist ideology... there are those who may be new to a university or college environment and vulnerable to ‘grooming’ by individuals with their own agenda as they search for friends and social groups, there are those who may be actively looking for extremist individuals with whom to associate.
"Campuses provide an opportunity for individuals who are already radicalised to form new networks, and extent existing ones," the document states.
According to the document, "Islamic societies have tended to invite more radical speakers or preachers on to campuses... They can be forceful, persuasive and eloquent."
"They are able to fill a vacuum created by young Muslims' feelings of alienation from their parents' generation by providing greater 'clarity' from an Islamic point of view on a range of issues, and potentially a greater sense of purpose about how Muslim students can respond," it said.
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It gives five real-life examples of extremism in universities. The first talks of suspicious computer use by “Asian” students, which was reported by library staff. In language some may balk at, it talks of students of "Asian appearance" being suspected extremists.
The document acknowledges that universities will be anxious about passing information to special branch, for fear it amounts to "collaborating with the secret police".
The document, sent within the last month to selected official bodies for consultation, reveals the full extent of what the authorities fear is happening in universities, as "campuses have become fertile recruiting grounds for extremists."
It claims that Islamic societies at universities have become increasingly political in recent years and discusses monitoring their leaflets and speakers. The document warns of talent-spotting by terrorists on campuses and of students being "groomed" for extremism.
In a section on factors that can radicalise students, the document identifies Muslims from "segregated" backgrounds as more likely to hold radical views than those who have "integrated into wider society".
It also claims that students who study in their hometowns could act as a link between extremism on campuses and in their local communities.
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