Statement Yasin Munye | Official Response There have been clips of me circulating the internet taken out of context and spread by individuals who wish to inflame hate and disunity. The lessons referred to in the articles concerned the academic study of a medieval religious text within a study circle intended for advanced students. They were not public sermons, nor were they sessions addressing the general public. It is therefore essential to understand the context within which they were delivered, which were, categorically not in relation to western (or eastern for that matter) 21st century societal norms. Such texts and texts of other religions are studied all over the U.K. including Christian and Jewish Literature in University and other academic settings At no stage did I condone, encourage, advocate or seek to legitimise violence against women, wives, homosexuals, or any other human beings or animals. The passages in question were being quoted and examined as part of the study of a historical text. Quoting or analysing historical material is plainly not the same as endorsing or advocating its application in contemporary society. Historical religious and legal texts, irrespective of the religion, jurisdiction or civilisation from which they originate, inevitably contain material reflecting the social, legal and cultural context of the period in which they were written. To characterise the academic discussion or quotation of such material as an endorsement of violence in modern-day Britain is, in my view, a serious and misleading misrepresentation of both the nature and context of the lessons. More importantly, any allegation or implication that my teaching amounted to an incitement, encouragement or endorsement of violence is extremely serious. Such allegations have the potential to cause substantial damage with significant consequences for both my personal safety and that of my family. They are also likely to further exacerbate the current climate of anti-Muslim hate. In light of the seriousness of the allegations and the manner in which my comments and teaching appear to have been characterised, I have been advised to obtain legal advice regarding the publications concerned, including those published by the Daily Mail and any other media organisation or platform that publishes materially false, misleading or defamatory allegations concerning me. I reserve the right to respond to or institute legal proceedings in respect to any existing or future defamatory/inaccurate publications regarding allegations against me. Regards, Yasin Munye