Tel Aviv University Canceling Invitation to Palestinian Activist Muhammad Kanaaneh
Letter to Tel Aviv University President regarding the recent decision to cancel an invitation to Palestinian activist Muhammad Kanaaneh.
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
- Interventions
Six-year Prison Sentence for Hamid Babaei
Letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei regarding the six-year prison sentence imposed against Hamid Babaei, a doctoral student at the University of Liège in Belgium, urging Iranian authorities to grant Babaei an appeal to overturn convictions related to his academic activities, resulting in his release.
Ongoing Violations of Academic Freedom at Marmara University
Letter to PM Erdoğan (see previous letter of January 24th, 2013) concerning ongoing reports of intimidation of students and faculty at Marmara University’s Faculty of Communications and alleged violations of academic freedom by Dean Yusuf Devran.
Politically Motivated Charges and Conviction of Saudi Professor Mohamed Fahad al-Qahtani
Letter to Saudi Arabia's Minister of the Interior HRH Prince Mohammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expressing concern regarding the politically motivated charges and conviction of Economics Professor and Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) co-founder Mohamed Fahad al-Qahtani.
Criminal Charge against Amr Hamzawy
Letter to Minister of Justice Adel Abd al-Hameed protesting the recent criminal charge — insulting the judiciary — leveled against Dr. Amr Hamzawy, a professor at Cairo University and the American University in Cairo.
H.R. 4009 Prohibits Use of Higher Education Act Funds
Letter expressing concern about H.R. 4009, which would prohibit the use of Higher Education Act funds for colleges and universities "participating" in a boycott of Israeli academic institutions or scholars.
Maryland Bill Threatens Academic Freedom
Letter to Maryland Senator Joan Carter Conway about Senate Bill 647 who introduced bill that would prohibit the use of state funds by colleges and universities to support faculty membership in, or travel to, the academic conferences of “an organization that has issued a public resolution or statement or taken an official action boycotting a country that has ratified a declaration of cooperation with the state or the country’s institutions of higher education.”
New York State Assembly Bill A8392A
Letter expressing concern about New York State Assembly bill A8392A, which would prohibit the use of state funds by colleges and universities for faculty memberships in, or travel to meetings sponsored by, academic organizations which have adopted boycott resolutions.
Indictment of Dr. Emad Shahin on charges of espionage and subversion
Letter to Egypt’s Minister of Justice Adel Abd al-Hameed protesting the indictment of Dr. Emad Shahin on charges of espionage and subversion.
Condemnation by Indiana University of the ASA Proposed Boycott of Institutions of Higher Education in Israel
Letter to Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie regarding his statement on the American Studies Association's call for a boycott of Israeli institutions of higher education.
Maltreatment of Dr. Al-Singace while Serving Life Sentence
Follow-up letter to Shaikh Hamad bin 'Issa al Khalifa regarding the maltreatment of Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, a professor sentenced to life in prison on charges of attempting to overthrow the government. His health demands immediate attention and proper medical care which are going untreated.
Freedom of Speech and Peacful Assembly Worsening on Egypt’s University Campuses
– Letter to PM Hazem al-Beblawy about the worsening climate for free speech and peaceable assembly on university campuses in Egypt.
Bahraini Academics and Others Citizenship Revoked
Revocation of citizenship from 31 Bahraini nationals, including MESA member Dr. Abdulhadi Khalaf, with no cause and without following even the minimal standards of procedure.
Imprisonment and Maltreatment of Dr. Al-Singace Serving Life Sentence in Jaw Prison
Letter to Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa regarding Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and a noted human rights activist, who was sentenced to life in prison on charges of attempting to overthrow the government. CAF, along with Scholars at Risk, believes that Dr. Al-Singace is a prisoner of conscience, a man jailed solely for the non-violent expression of his political beliefs.
Reprisal Actions to Those in Support of the Gezi Protests
Letter to PM Erdoğan expressing concern over reports of reprisal actions against university students and professors as a consequence of their support of the “Gezi Protests.”
Highly-Politicized Charges Associated with Three Mass Trials Creating Climate of Intimidation on University Campuses
Letter to PM Erdoğan regarding three mass trials that included academics who were tried, together with dozens of others, based on highly politicized charges and without appropriate procedural protections, contributing to a climate of intimidation on university campuses.
Repeated Attacks against Al-Quds University Vampus in Abu Dis
Letter to Israeli dignitaries expressing concern about the recent repeated attacks against Al-Quds University campus in Abu Dis carried out by IDF forces. Such attacks against an educational institution constitute a direct infringement on academic freedom in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Florida Atlantic University Response to Students for Justice in Palestine Protest
Letter to Florida Atlantic University Interim President about the university’s response to a protest organized on April 19, 2013, by Students for Justice in Palestine.
Arrest and Detention in Egypt of Canadian Professors Tarek Loubani and John Greyson
Letter to Prime Minister Hazem AlBeblawi expressing concern about the August 16 arrest and detention of two Canadian citizens - film-maker and York University professor John Greyson and physician and University of Western Ontario professor Tarek Loubani.
Concern about Response to On-campus Political Advocacy at York University
Letter to York University President Mamdouh Shukri expressing concern about the response to on-campus political advocacy including sanctioning a student by banning him from being on York University property until April 2014.
Concern Over Evaluation of Research Proposal by University of Toronto Professor to Social Science and Humanities Research Council
Letter to Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada President Chad Gaffield expressing concern about his organization's use of a politicized referee's report to evaluate a research proposal submitted by University of Toronto Professor Jens Hanssen.
Controversy Over San Jose University Workshop for Teachers and Community College Faculty about Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Letter to University President Mohammad Qayoumi expressing concern about the response of San José State to the ongoing controversy surrounding the recent workshop for high school teachers and community college faculty on teaching the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that was organized by Professor Persis Karim.
Incidents at Kilis 7 Aralık University Impeding Academic Freedom
Letter regarding incidents at Kilis 7 Aralık University that have created an atmosphere on campus that negatively impacts teaching, academic research and scholarly production which continue despite efforts by faculty members at the university to seek redress through the Higher Education Council (YÖK).
Investigation and Informal Suspension Without Pay of Suez University Professor Mona Prince
Letter to Suez University President Maher Musbah protesting the current investigation and informal suspension without pay of Dr. Mona Prince who is accused by one of her students of expressing untoward sentiments about Islam during a class discussion about the problem of sectarian tensions in Egypt.
Urging Claremont McKenna College to Uphold Free Speech and Academic Freedom Principles regarding SJP Protest
Letter urging the Claremont McKenna College administration and faculty to investigate in a thorough and even-handed manner so as to uphold the principles of free speech and academic freedom regarding the demonstration on March 4 held by Students for Justice in Palestine.