Uni backtracks after saying it was ‘discussing’ banning National Anthem over links to ‘far right nationalism’ following complaint from student union welfare officer
Mahamed Abdullahi said King’s College London should drop its years-old tradition of singing God Save the Queen at graduations, branding it 'outdated' and 's***'
A TOP university has backtracked after saying it was considering banning the National Anthem at its graduation ceremonies following a complaint from a student union official.
Mahamed Abdullahi said King’s College London should drop its years-old tradition of singing God Save the Queen at graduations because of its links to “increasing far right nationalism”.
In a foul-mouthed Facebook post, the Danish-born student union welfare officer branded the song “outdated” and “s***”.
He also complained about its links to the “legacy of the British Empire” as he called on others to back him in talks with the uni.
He wrote: “I want to get rid of the national anthem at graduation because it's outdated and not reflective of the ‘global’ values the college espouses.
“In the context of increasing far right nationalism across Europe and the legacy of the British Empire, it's just a bit s*** and it doesn't even bang.
“Basically, f*** the nation state.”
But shockingly, King’s College – which was founded in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV – confirmed it was actually considering banning the National Anthem following the expletive-ridden rant.
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A spokesperson told yesterday: “We… are currently in discussion with KCLSU student officers about various elements of the ceremonies, including the use of the national anthem.
“Feedback from all members of the King’s community will be used in planning the next set of ceremonies.”
However, the uni has since backtracked after several newspaper articles drew attention to the issue.
King's College contacted The Sun to confirm: "We have no plans to remove the National Anthem from graduation ceremonies."
Not all students were as keen as Abdullahi to ban God Save the Queen.
KCL Conservative Association member James Findon started a petition to protect the song.
He told the Mail: “Campaigning to remove a song from the final section of our graduation ceremonies is to ignore the real issues facing students on a daily basis.
“Also, it is an embarrassing reflection on students at King's that one of our elected officers has resorted to such a petulant and disrespectful outburst on social media with so many expletives.”
And politics masters student Alex Sansom, 22, called on him to “respect the traditions of the university”.
Abdullahi studied at the University of Reading, before moving to King’s for his postgraduate degree in Geography.
He branded the Government's anti-terror strategy Prevent “racist” in his manifesto to become vice president for welfare and community, and said he wanted to “decolonise” the curriculum.
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