A UNIVERSITY debating group has coming under fire for using a picture of ISIS terrorists to publicise a debate about Islam’s relationship with the Western World.

The Durham Union Society, at Durham University, is facing growing demands for a formal apology after using the photograph to advertise the debate entitled This House Believes that Islam in Incompatible with the Western Liberal Democracy.

The image was swiftly removed from the society’s Facebook page following complaints, but critics say the ensuing apology is not good enough.

In a Facebook post, union society president Napap Rungsrithananon said: “I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone for the offence that may have been caused by the picture posted for the upcoming Islam debate.

“I recognise that it was a poor choice of image, however no malice was intended, and I regret any unintentional harm it has caused.

“The picture was removed within 24 hours of being posted and will not be featuring in any ongoing publicity material for the event."

But student Zainah El-Haroun told The Northern Echo: “I really didn’t want to make a fuss and messaged them asking why they put the photo up. It was totally inappropriate.

“I never got a response - they just took it down. That upset me a bit because I felt they thought just taking it down meant they wouldn’t have to respond or apologise.”

Durham University graduate Osha Al is encouraging others to send an open email to relevant university bodies, calling for a formal apology.

It reads: “While the photograph that was initially chosen for the Facebook event has since been taken down and an apology posted on the group following several messages of complaint, this is simply not enough.

“Choosing a photograph of Isis to advertise this debate or, more specifically, balaclava wearing men holding large guns with the Isis flag in the background, the union society has demonstrated a far bigger issue than can be solved with this mere (and, quite honestly, pitiful) apology.”

A statement from the student magazine Palatinate said: “The incident attracted widespread criticism on Facebook from both students and non-students, many of whom demanding a formal apology from the Durham Union Society.

“I would like to think that the Durham Union Society, and its president, will issue a formal apology, alongside the one posted to its Facebook page, in the coming days.

“The Durham Union Society has always been a platform for open, fair, and inclusive debate. It is unfortunate that the society's reputation will be again called into question for a mistake that could have been easily preventable.”