Oxford News
Islam scholar from Oxford jailed 18 years for rape
Prominent Islam scholar Tariq Ramadan was sentenced by a court in Paris two years after he was jailed for a separate rape in Switzerland.
The 63-year-old did not attend the trial as he was in Geneva being treated for multiple sclerosis, according to his lawyers.
The scholar, who was a senior research fellow at St Antony’s College, has always denied the charges and his lawyers branded the trial a “farce”, the BBC and other national outlets have reported.
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Judge Corinne Goetzmann said the sentencing reflects the “extreme seriousness of the acts” in her verdict.
She also said a warrant had been issued for Ramadam’s arrest in Switzerland, the BBC said.
Switzerland does not have an extradition treaty with France meaning the Swiss authorities have no requirement to send him to France.
French newspaper Le Perisien has reported that Ramadam is also to be banned from French territory once he has served his sentence.
He told the publication after the court ruling: “I will not let this decision stand.”
Born in Switzerland in 1962, Ramadam is the grandson of Hassan al Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Ramadam studied philosophy, literature and social sciences at the University of Geneva and Arabic and Islamic studies for his PhD.
He is a scholarly European Muslim, whose books, grounded in Islam’s textual sources, show him to be a skilled interpreter of Islamic history.
A controversial figure, Ramadan was previously ejected from the United States as an extremist, judged to have provided material support to terrorist organisations.
Some eight Muslim countries have also denied him entry through their borders, including in 2016 Mauritania in Africa and in 2018 Qatar.
He has received global praise for his academic work, including being ranked as one of the 100 most important innovators of the 21st century by Time magazine.
According to St Antony’s College website, Ramadan is the president of the think tank European Muslim Network in Brussels and a member of the International Union of Muslim Scholars.
In 2017, the University of Oxford announced that “by mutual agreement, and with immediate effect” Ramadan had taken “a leave of absence”.
In a past interview with Der Spiegel, he said: “God has established norms and the norm is that a man is meant for a woman and a woman is meant for a man” and that Islam is “very clear” that homosexuality “is not allowed”.
New research from Go.Compare Car Insurance revealed most motorists are unaware that many everyday driving habits could get you in trouble with the law.
A staggering 90% of drivers surveyed did not realise that hanging an air freshener from the rear-view mirror could be an offence in certain circumstances.
This is because anything that obstructs your view of the road, such as items hanging from a rear window, can be seen as an offence.
Factors that affect car insurance cost
Under the UK Highway Code it states all windows, including the rear windscreen, must be kept free from obstruction to ensure clear visibility.
Obstructions include dirt, ice, snow, stickers or excessive luggage and failing to clear them can result in penalty points, fines and can also cause you to fail your MOT.
This offence can carry between three and nine points and a fine and it could cause your own-damage car insurance claim to be refused if it results in an accident.
Tom Banks, expert at Go.Compare Car Insurance said if a driver is unfortunately in an accident while performing one of these ‘minor’ actions, it could void your insurance damage claim.
Tom said: “The driving laws we have in place are designed to keep everyone safe on the roads, so it is worrying that so many people do not know what is and isn’t allowed.
“What many drivers don’t realise is that if you are involved in an accident while performing one of these ‘minor’ actions, your insurer could argue you weren’t in full control of the vehicle.
“If you’re found to be driving without due care and attention, you could face points and a fine – and your claim for damage to your own car may be refused.
“It’s important to stay clued-in on the Highway Code. If you’re unsure about a rule, take five minutes to check before you drive.
“To stay safe and avoid insurance issues: keep your phone in a cradle or put it away, ensure the windscreen and number plate are clear, and avoid anything that distracts you from driving.”
A proposed £3 million heritage conservation project for the 184-year-old building has taken a step forward, after the National Lottery Heritage Fund accepted the town’s ‘Expression of Interest’.
The Town Hall Restoration Group – a committee of town councillors and volunteers with expertise in architecture, sustainability, and heritage – now has 12 months to develop detailed plans for a full ‘round one’ funding application.
Tom Festa, chairman of the group and a member of Chipping Norton Town Council, said: “The Town Hall is an exceptional heritage landmark.
“Our vision is to secure its future as a restored, welcoming, adaptable, and sustainable civic hub.
“We aim to conserve and showcase the building’s original architectural character while introducing energy-efficient heating, insulation and lighting, guided by a full energy audit and upgrade strategy.
“This will reduce both the carbon footprint and running costs, in line with local and national climate goals.”
A public engagement exercise will be one of the first steps in the process, gathering input from residents on how the hall could better serve the community.
Technical studies will also be carried out during this time.
The restoration group has identified several urgent issues, including ongoing damp, roof leaks, ceiling damage, dry rot, and poor insulation.
Chipping Norton Town Hall is a key part of the town’s identity, serving as the seat of local government and a venue for public assemblies, festivals, exhibitions, faith gatherings, and private celebrations.
North Leigh Roman Villa volunteers have announced open days, giving visitors the chance to view a nearly complete fourth-century mosaic floor.
Set beside the River Evenlode, the villa is one of the largest in Roman Britain and once featured 16 mosaic floors and 11 rooms with underfloor heating.
A Heritage England spokesperson said: “Visitors can imagine the villa’s former richness as they walk through the rectangular footprint of its walls.”
The open days will take place on May 30 and 31, June 27 and 28, July 25 and 26, August 8, 9, 22 and 23, and September 19 and 20.
Nearly 10,000 visitors have viewed the mosaic since 2019, when it reopened after nearly three decades.
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