Islam Is A Peaceful Religion — Oxford Union Debate
Mehdi Hasan
Mehdi Hasan argues passionately that Islam is a religion of peace in this viral Oxford Union debate.
Why we picked this
12+ million views and one of the Oxford Union's most-watched debates. Hasan's rhetorical skill is extraordinary regardless of where you land on the question.
This is the kind of debate that the Oxford Union was built for. The motion — “Islam Is A Peaceful Religion” — is deliberately provocative, and Mehdi Hasan knows exactly what he’s walking into. His argument is not defensive. He goes on the offensive, drawing parallels to violence in other religious traditions, citing scripture, and challenging the audience to apply the same standards of judgment across the board.
What makes this worth watching isn’t just the substance but the craft. Hasan is one of the best debaters working today, and his ability to hold a room while making a deeply unpopular argument (at least in certain circles) is a masterclass in rhetoric. He’s funny, he’s sharp, and he never lets the audience get comfortable.
Over 12 million views make this one of the most-watched Oxford Union addresses ever recorded.