Sedigheh Vasmaghi released from Prison
CAF welcomes the recent news that Islamic scholar Sedigheh Vasmaghi was released from Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison on Monday.
Contact CAF
Middle East Studies Association of North America, Inc.
3542 N. Geronimo Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85705
520 333-2577 phone
520 207-3166 fax
- All Committee on Academic Freedom
Letter to Hobart and William Smith Colleges expressing grave concern about the suspension of Professor Jodi Dean
Our letter regarding the decision of the administration of Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) to relieve Dr. Jodi Dean, a tenured professor in the Department of Politics, of her teaching duties
Response from Columbia University to 1 April Letter
The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to our 1 April letter regarding the decision to remove Dr. Kayum Ahmed from the Core curriculum teaching team at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health
Response from Vanderbilt University to 8 April Letter
The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to our 8 April letter regarding Vanderbilt University administration’s recent actions with respect to student activism in support of Palestinian rights.
Letter to the University of Southern California expressing outrage over its decision to cancel Asna Tabassum’s valedictory address at commencement
Our letter regarding the 15 April 2024 announcement by the University of Southern California that valedictorian Asna Tabassum will not be permitted to speak at this year’s commencement.
Letter to the administration of Columbia University concerning the arbitrary suspension and eviction from university housing of four students
Our letter expressing alarm at Columbia University’s harsh and ill-advised response to a student-organized event that took place on 24 March 2024.
Letter protesting the arrest of Prof. Sedigheh Vasmaghi in Iran
Our letter to the Iranian authorities protesting the politically motivated arrest of Prof. Vasmaghi, a renowned scholar of theology, from her home in March 2024, and her transfer to Evin Prison, violating her basic rights.
Letter regarding ongoing violations at Bogazici University
Our letter to President Erdoğan regarding the ongoing dismantling of faculty governance, top-down appointments of external candidates without the due search process, growing censorship and institutionalization of surveillance, as well as the rapid erosion of academic norms and standards and elimination of student life on the campus of Boğaziçi University under the authoritarian leadership of the Physics professor Naci Inci, appointed as the university rector by President Erdoğan.
Letter to Barnard College concerning its administration’s actions suppressing freedom of speech and academic freedom
Our letter expressing concern about a number of Barnard College’s recent actions that call into question its avowed commitment to protecting the right to free speech and the academic freedom of its students, faculty, and staff.
Letter to Pomona College concerning the suspension and arrest of peacefully protesting students
Our letter expressing our grave concern about several of Pomona College administration’s recent actions with respect to student activism in support of Palestinian rights
Letter to Vanderbilt University concerning the suspension of students engaged in peaceful protest
Our letter expressing concern about several of the Vanderbilt University administration’s recent actions with respect to student activism in support of Palestinian rights
Profiles of Dismissed Iranian Academics
Profiles of Iranian academics who have been dismissed from their university positions since the beginning of the presidency of Ebrahim Raisi in 2021 through the Woman, Life, Freedom nationwide movement in 2022-2023 when Iranian universities emerged as centers of activism.
Letter regarding the devastation of the education sector in Sudan
Our letter to the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces regarding the devastation wrought on the education sector in Sudan since the outbreak of fighting in spring 2023 and the severe challenges faced by students and faculty alike.
Letter concerning the ongoing deterioration of academic freedom in Egypt
Our letter to Egyptian authorities expressing our concerns with the persistent deterioration in the conditions of academic freedom in Egypt and the ongoing detentions of scholars and researchers about whom we have written numerous times.
Response from Hebrew University of Jerusalem to 21 March 2024 Letter
The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to our 21 March letter objecting to the recent suspension from teaching of an esteemed faculty member, Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian.
Letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott regarding Executive Order GA-44
Our letter expressing grave concern about Executive Order No. GA-44, issued on 27 March 2024, which defines its purpose as “addressing acts of antisemitism in institutions of higher education.”
Letter to Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health regarding the treatment of Dr. Kayum Ahmed
Our letter expressing concern about the decision to remove Dr. Kayum Ahmed from the Core curriculum teaching team at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health (SPH).
Letter to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem protesting suspension of faculty member Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian
Our letter to the leadership of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem objecting to the recent suspension from teaching of an esteemed faculty member, Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, for her comments and reflections prompted by Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.
Letter addressing ongoing violations of academic freedom in occupied Palestinian Territories
Our letter to United States government and UN offices protesting the ongoing violations of academic freedom of Palestinians by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank.
Letter to the administration of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville concerning the cancellation of a planned event on Gaza
Please see our letter expressing concern about the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) administration’s decision to cancel a panel discussion on Gaza.
Letter to the University of Arkansas protesting its failure to defend its faculty
Our letter expressing concern about the administration’s failure to uphold academic freedom at the University of Arkansas
Letter to Texas Tech University regarding the suspension of Profesor Jairo Fúnez-Flores
Our letter expressing concern about the suspension of Jairo Fúnez-Flores, Assistant Professor of Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education at Texas Tech University (TTU).
Letter to Texas A&M University Leadership Concerning the Closure of Texas A&M Campus in Qatar
Our letter expressing concern about the closure of the Texas A&M University campus in Qatar as a detrimental move against academic freedom, influenced by geopolitical and external pressures, and calling for a re-evaluation of the decision based on transparency and adherence to academic values.
Letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the Center for Security, Race and Rights at Rutgers University-Newark Law School
Our letter expressing concern regarding the effort by Republican members of the Judiciary Committee to smear and delegitimize the Center for Security, Race and Rights at Rutgers University-Newark Law School and the executive director, Professor Sahar Aziz.
Letter to York University regarding police disruption of a lecture on campus
Our letter to the president and provost of York University expressing concern about a recent incident involving police disruption of an academic lecture.