A Times (London) journalist has attracted the ire of “liberal bigots” on Twitter after claiming that Ireland’s vote in favour of gay marriage was another “nail in the coffin” of civilisation.
Hanif, who has previously worked for the Guardian, as well as a controversial ‘anti-Islamophobia’ pressure group, tweeted his views on the Irish referendum vote, only to be rounded upon by journalist colleagues. He wrote: “So Ireland hammers the latest nail into the coffin of civilisation”.
What followed was a stream of tweets from what Hanif described as “liberal bigots” attempting to impose their worldview on him. He describes his own philosophy/religion as “Classical Islam” in his Twitter bio.
The Guardian’s Ashley Cowburn tweeted: “Thrilled to realise an old journalism classmate is in favour of my lifestyle”, before adding, “so it’s acceptable for you to get married? but you know, not me because I don’t fancy tits? Charming, Faisal.”
Cowburn followed up with the awkward ‘threat’ of shoving his tongue “down a guy’s throat” in front of Hanif.
Others piled in, demanding journalistic solidarity on the issue:
And even politicos piled in, with a former parliamentary staffer to both a Conservative MP and a Labour MP (and now he’s in the Green Party) prompting Hanif to lash out at the “#liberalbigotry” aimed at him:
Just moments later, Hanif’s account was locked, and then deleted.
Does this exchange reveal an upcoming rift in the unholy alliance of the liberal left and the Islamophobia lobby? Or was this just an isolated incident?
Hanif has not yet replied to e-mails.