Middle East Studies Association

May 17, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter protesting ongoing mistreatment of Moroccan scholar, Prof. Maati Monjib

Our letter to the King of Morocco and governing authorities protesting the ongoing harassment of and punitive measures against the prominent historian and human rights activist, Dr. Maati Monjib. Most recently, on 1 March 2023, he was suspended, without pay, from his position as professor of History at the Mohammed V University in Rabat. This is our fourth letter decrying the mistreatment of this scholar and activist.

April 17, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Response from SFSU President Mahoney to April 13 letter

The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to the 13 April letter expressing concern over the decision by San Francisco State University to open an investigation into Professor Mahiar Berooz's showing of an image of the Prophet Muhammad in his class.

April 13, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter to the president of San Francisco State University protesting the investigation of Professor Maziar Behrooz

Our letter expressing concern over the decision by San Francisco State University to open an investigation into Professor Mahiar Berooz's showing of an image of the Prophet Muhammad in his class.

March 20, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter regarding poisonings at girls’ schools and women’s dormitories

Our letter to Iranian authorities to condemn the persistent and widespread attacks by poisoning at girls' schools and women's college dormitories and call for an impartial and transparent investigation into their origins and bring the perpetrators to justice. From the initial attacks in November 2022 until today, more than 7000 students from across the country have been impacted and a climate of fear and insecurity prevails.

March 09, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter protesting the ongoing incarceration of Professor Awad al-Qarni

Our letter to Saudi authorities protesting the ongoing incarceration of Prof. Awad al-Qarni, the well-known reformist cleric and legal scholar, as well as Dr. Salman al-Audah, Ali al-Omari and Hassan al-Maliki, and calling for their immediate release. We oppose, as well, the prosecutor's request that Prof. al-Qarni be sentenced to death.

March 01, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter regarding closure of all Turkish universities to in-person instruction following earthquakes

Our letter to President Erdogan concerning his decision to close all universities to in-person instruction for the remainder of the year in order to house earthquake victims on the country’s campuses.

February 23, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter regarding documentary filmmaker and Communication Professor Sibel Tekin’s pre-trial detention and indictment for her filming activities

Our letter regarding the case of documentary filmmaker and Communication Professor Sibel Tekin whose filming activities focus on social injustice, social movements, and political violence, and who is prosecuted on vague terms of incrimination for her documentary filmmaking activities.

February 08, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter to the president of NYU regarding graduate student Naye Idriss

Our letter to the President of NYU expressing our concern about the university’s recent investigation of graduate student Naye Idriss.

February 01, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Response from President Bacow to January 10 Letter

The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to the 10 January letter expressing concern about the July 2022 decision by Douglas Elmendorf, dean of faculty of the Harvard Kennedy School, to reject the appointment of Kenneth Roth as a senior fellow of the school’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy.

January 31, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter to the president of GWU regarding Professor Lara Sheehi

Our letter to the president of GWU protesting the unwarranted investigation of Professor Lara Sheehi

January 26, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter addressing ongoing government interventions in Bogazici University autonomy, staffing and internal operations

Our letter of protest to the Turkish government regarding its numerous, multifaceted interventions throughout 2022 in the internal operations, governance and staffing of Bogazici University.

January 24, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Open Letter to the President of Hamline University

Open letter from professors who teach subjects related to Islam, Muslim culture, and the Islamic world in support of Professor Erika López Prater

January 12, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter to Iranian Authorities on behalf of Dr. Saeed Madani

Our letter protesting the unjust imprisonment of Iranian scholar and researcher, Professor Saeed Madani

January 10, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter regarding Hamline University Professor Erika López Prater

Our letter to the president of Hamline University protesting the termination of a faculty member on grounds of alleged Islamophobia.

January 10, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter to the President of Harvard University regarding Kenneth Roth

Our letter to the president of Harvard University protesting the denial of a fellowship to Kenneth Roth

January 10, 2023
Committee on Academic Freedom

Letter to Cornell University regarding Professor Samia Henni

Our letter urging Cornell University to protect the academic freedom and personal safety of Professor Samia Henni.

November 15, 2022
Committee on Academic Freedom

Case Western Reserve University’s recent statement about anti-Semitism

Our letter urging the President of Case Western Reserve University to reconsider its recent statement which equates criticism of the State of Israel with anti-Semitism.

October 20, 2022
Committee on Academic Freedom

COGAT regulations’ impact on international scholar selection

New letter protesting Israel Government revised directive regarding selection of international scholars and students to teach and study in Palestinian Universities.

- Interventions

October 06, 2022
Committee on Academic Freedom

Recent Attacks by Iranian Authorities on Civilian Protests

Letter to Iranian authorities condemning recent attacks on academic institutions, students and teachers protesting government violence & repression.

- Interventions

September 19, 2022
Committee on Academic Freedom

Response by Asst Secretary for Civil Rights to June 27 letter

The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to the 27 June letter urging the Department Education’s Office for Civil Rights to not use the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and its examples to formulate antidiscrimination regulations.

September 14, 2022
Committee on Academic Freedom

Dr. Salah Soltan Unlawfully Detained for Ten Years

Letter to Egyptian officials calling for the immediate release of Salah Soltan from his inhumane detention in Egypt.

September 07, 2022
Committee on Academic Freedom

Sentencing of Salma Al-Shehab to 34 Years in Prison

Letter to Saudi officials regarding the sentencing of University of Leeds PhD student Salma al-Shehab to 34 years in prison.

September 02, 2022
Committee on Academic Freedom

University of Denver Statement about Professor Nader Hashemi

Letter urging the University of Denver to reconsider its recent public statement concerning Professor Nader Hashemi.

August 17, 2022
Committee on Academic Freedom

Professor Seif Fateen held in pre-trial detention for nearly four years

Letter to the Egyptian authorities protesting the protracted detention without trial of Professor Seif Fateen and the inhumane conditions to which he has been subjected.

August 03, 2022
Committee on Academic Freedom

Ahmed Samir Santawy Exonerated

CAF welcomes the news of the recent release of Egyptian researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy, and reiterates the call for the release of other detained academics and the removal of travel restrictions.

Contact CAF

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