‘Can’t stand Islam’: Why Labor wants to block Raheem Kassam’s visa

Many may not know who Raheem Kassam is, but his “disgusting” views on Muslims and women have sent shockwaves across Australia.

A former Muslim who says he “can’t stand Islam” is due to take to the stage to speak at a conservative conference in Sydney next weekend, but the controversial views he wishes to talk about have already sent shockwaves through Australia.

Our politicians have torn shreds off each other in and out of parliament this week after Shadow Home Affairs Minister Kristine Keneally demanded a block on Raheem Kassam’s visa.

Some of the 33-year-old British political activist’s questionable opinions have also drawn criticism from both sides of the house, with finance minister Mathias Cormann blasting an infamous barb at Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon as “disgraceful, highly objectionable and completely outrageous”.

Raheem Kassam will be talking at a conservative conference in Sydney next week. Picture: Gage Skidmore

In that particular attack, Mr Kassam suggested on Twitter that Ms Sturgeon’s “mouth and legs should be taped shut so she can’t reproduce” — shortly after she had a miscarriage.

On other occasions, he’s called the Koran “fundamentally evil”, blasted Islam as a “fascistic and totalitarian ideology” and asked his followers whether a prominent UK Labour politician was in the “special needs class” in school.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese piled more criticism on the British firebrand today, labelling his comments “misogynist and disgusting” and urging the immigration minister to cancel his visa.

The debate even caught the eye of Donald Trump’s son, who accused the ALP earlier this week of trying to silence conservative views.

“The insanity needs to stop!”, he tweeted.

WHO IS RAHEEM KASSAM?

Known for his involvement in political campaigns on the hard right in the UK, Mr Kassam was formally a Muslim and his parents are Tanzanian immigrants.

However, he became inspired by the late socialist writer Christopher Hitchens’ rejection of religious faith and is now an atheist.

Mr Kassam also found admiration for conservative political giants like Margaret Thatcher and became involved in conservative student movements.

Later in life, he became a senior adviser to one of the architects of Brexit and tweed jacket fan Nigel Farage during the 2015 general election.

I could be playing up and milking this Australia visa thing.

But honestly I’m not a grifter and I can’t be arsed.

If psychos like @AlboMP and @KKeneally are so scared of a former Muslim expressing concerns about the faith he was raised with, let them whinge.

No one cares. pic.twitter.com/ZlSsL2JUAW

— Raheem ‘the Randy Dandy’ Kassam (@RaheemKassam) August 1, 2019

Channelling his inner Donald Trump, Mr Hassan launched a bid in 2016 to become the leader of the populist UK Independence Party (UKIP), but ultimately failed.

Until 2018, he was also the London-based editor of the American far-right media outlet Breitbart, under the watchful eye of Steve Bannon.

He has also written books with alarming titles such as No Go Zones: How Sharia Law Is Coming to a Neighbourhood Near You, which detail why he is so strongly against Muslim immigration.

WHY IS HE COMING TO AUSTRALIA?

Next weekend, conservatives from around Australia will be paying up to $599 a pop to see some of the world’s most influential far-right figures speak over three days.

According to its website, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Sydney invites “Australia’s political warriors” to “join the brave and protect the future” — referencing a famous Ronald Reagan quote.

“This is a conference for those that despaired at the prospect of a Shorten government controlled by militant unions and influenced by the Greens,” the website reads.

“Australia dodged a socialist arrow this time, and thank goodness for that, but we know they will redouble their efforts and come again supported by their boosters the Unions and GetUp.”

Described as a “parade of right wing nutters” by Anthony Albanese, the conference will feature talks from Nigel Farage, One Nation’s Mark Latham, MP Craig Kelly, Senator Amanda Stoker, Tony Abbott and Republican congressmen Matt Gaetz.

Nigel Farage, former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) will also be speaking at CPAC. Picture: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Appearing on Nine’s Today show, Mr Albanese said Aussie MPs who attend the Sydney conference risked legitimising views of the extreme right.

“The problem is extreme views are being made mainstream by members of a government being on a platform (with Mr Kassam),” he said.

Citing the case of Milo Yiannopoulos, he urged the immigration minister to cancel the British pandit’s visa, adding the government had a right to say when people are coming to Australia to promote “division and conflict”.

However, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton — who also appeared on Today — said he fears shutting down controversial views could lead Australia down a slippery path.

“I worry in our country, as we are seeing in other democracies at the moment, that views are shouted down either because they are politically incorrect or people don’t agree with them,” Mr Dutton said.

“I think allow people in a democracy like ours to have their say, to have a civil debate then make up your own mind.”

Peter Dutton says shutting down controversial views could lead Australia down a slippery path. Picture: Kym Smith

Fellow senior Liberal Mathias Cormann agreed, telling Sky News on Friday that Australia didn’t want a reputation as a ban-happy nation.

“I was absolutely critical of what (Mr Kassam) was quoted as saying, and I indeed find some of his comments objectionable and unacceptable,” Senator Cormann said.

“But I don’t think, as a country committed to freedom of speech, that we want to put ourselves in a position where we ban everyone and anyone on the basis of objectionable and offensive speech.”