Has Jacob Rees-Mogg converted to Islam? Obviously not. Why would I even ask such a question?

Later this week, Rees-Mogg will be arguing alongside Abdullah Al Andalusi and Michael Doward at the Oxford Union, to defend Islam from the suspicions of Western society. Sir Jacob is famous, among other things, for being an observant Catholic. He has stated that he does not believe Mohammed was a prophet, nor that the Quran is the word of God.

Rather than smear, slur, or ban those invited to speak, we would all do better to listen to them, engaging with their thoughts honestly and respectfully

Rather than smear, slur, or ban those invited to speak, we would all do better to listen to them, engaging with their thoughts honestly and respectfully

“Indeed, I think if it were the word of God, God says some pretty peculiar things and encourages some pretty odd forms of behaviour,” he has said.

This puts him in direct opposition to Islam’s central and core belief that “there is no God but Allah, and…Mohammed is the Messenger of God.” So there will presumably be few people who read into his appearance a newfound support for Islamic law or for a caliphate, despite his decision to speak alongside a man who has expressed his commitment to these and other similar opinions.

I will also be speaking in that debate, but on the other side, explaining why the West should be suspicious of Islam. I won’t preempt my speech by going into those details here, and hopefully there’ll be a video of the event shortly afterwards for those who are interested. But just as Sir Jacob’s appearance alongside his teammates shouldn’t be seen as an endorsement of everything they represent, nor should my own appearance alongside my own side’s speakers: the........

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