SOAS grad burns his master’s degree in solidarity with expelled pro-Palestine student
Haya Adams, President of the Palestinian Society, was expelled after allegations of harassment
A former SOAS student has burned his Master’s degree certificate in solidarity with an expelled law student.
Dr Asim Qureshi, a research director at CAGE International, posted a video on Instagram showing him setting his certificate on fire.
Posted last week, the video responded to the expulsion of Haya Adams, a SOAS student removed following allegations of harassment against SU staff.
In the post, which has since received over 60k likes, Dr Qureshi emphasises his outrage at SOAS’s handling of the case, and said that he would “rather not have a degree” and “rather not be associated with SOAS.”
via Instagram @asimqcageint
His activism is in support of second year law student Haya Adams, who was also president of the Palestinian Society at SOAS.
Haya was previously suspended after allegations of harassment against student union staff, allegations of which she refutes. As of August 9th 2025, Haya has been officially expelled from SOAS.
She previously faced disciplinary action for a pro-Palestine protest on the university steps on June 4th 2024.
SOAS has since clarified it “does not and have never expelled or disciplined students for pro-Palestinian views or protests.”
Calls have now been made online to condemn Haya’s expulsion and to pressure the university into reversing the decision.
via Instagram @asimqcageint
SOAS has since published a statement on its website, writing: “We want to make clear that we do not and have never expelled or disciplined students for pro-Palestinian views or protests.”
The statement goes on to condemn the events of October 7th in Israel and call for an immediate ceasefire, as it first did in 2023.
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Dr Qureshi, who is also a famous Muslim author, maintains that his “relationship to SAOS is inextricably linked to Palestine” and that he cannot stand the punishment of “pro-Palestine students for wanting divestment and an end to apartheid and genocide.”
Speaking to Middle East Eye, Haya Adams said she plans to challenge the decision, saying: “SOAS is trying to use me as an example in order to silence and intimidate the rest of the student body, and they’re doing this to students who are speaking up against genocide.”
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