Prof. Imad Barghouti has been released
CAF welcomes the recent news that Israel has released Palestinian astrophysicist Imad Barghouti.
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
- Updates
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.
Patrick George Zaki Pardoned
CAF welcomes the recent news that Egyptian national, Patrick George Zaki has received a presidential pardon.
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
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
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.
Egyptian academics waiting in detention, facing trial, or who have restricted movement
Letter to Egyptian authorities protesting continued detention, violation of academic freedom of Egyptian scholars
Letter regarding the continued detention of translators, Kholoud Said and Marwa Arafa
Letter to Egyptian authorities expressing concern about the continued detention of Kholoud Said, a translator and the head of the Translation Unit of the publication department at Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), and free-lance translator Marwa Arafa, and calling for their immediate release.
Letter Protesting the Killing of Fadi Washaha and Ongoing Targeting of Palestinian Students
MESA CAF protests the brutal murder of BZU student Fadi Washaha and the ongoing targeting of students, faculty, and employees at Palestinian universities as part of a larger campaign against higher education under Israeli occupation.
Letter protesting ongoing policy of arrests and detention of students in Palestinian universities
Letter to Israeli officials protesting the Israeli army and judiciary’s targeting of students at Palestinian universities in the West Bank.
Letter protesting the ongoing detention of Patrick George Zaki
Letter to Egyptian authorities protesting the ongoing detention of Patrick George Zaki, a graduate student in Italy and human rights researcher with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) without due process, charging him with spreading false news and statements to disturb the peace, and inciting protest without permission from relevant authorities with the goal of undermining state institutions, overthrowing the Egyptian government and instigating terrorism.
Letter regarding the government sanctioned campaign against Boğaziçi University, its students, faculty and institutional structure
Letter to President Erdoğan regarding the recent attacks against Boğaziçi University’s students and faculty, and the government’s politically motivated decision to alter the university’s academic structure.
Letter regarding the detention and mistreatment of Boğaziçi University students protesting against the partisan authoritarian appointment of a new rector
Letter to President Erdoğan regarding the detention and mistreatment of Boğaziçi University students protesting against the partisan and authoritarian appointment of the university’s rector, the homophobic language and policies adopted in relation to student protesters, and the placement of snipers on the roofs of buildings adjacent to the campus gate.
Ongoing erosion of the autonomy of Turkish public universities due to Erdogan’s unilateral appointments of university presidents
Letter to President Erdoğan regarding the adverse effects of his unilateral administrative appointments to Turkey's universities resulting in the complete erosion of the autonomy of Turkey's public universities in particular, a process set in motion following the 1980 military coup but dramatically accelerated since 2016 due to emergency and presidential decrees adopted by Erdoğan.
Letter protesting the arrest and detention of Moroccan scholar and rights advocate Dr. Maati Monjib
Third letter to Moroccan authorities protesting the ongoing mistreatment of scholar and human rights advocate Dr. Maati Monjib, and specifically, his recent abduction and detention on baseless charges; and calling for his immediate release and exoneration.
Protesting the unjust prosecution, sentencing, and prolonged detention of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali in Iran
Letter to Iranian authorities objecting to the unjust prosecution, sentencing, and prolonged detention of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali for unfounded allegations of espionage in Iran.
Australian-British dual national Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert released from Iranian prison
MESA is pleased to report that Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert was released from prison on November 25, 2020 after 804 days' detention in Iran, and has returned to Australia.
Concern for the safety of Australian-British dual national Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert imprisoned in Iran
Letter to Iranian authorities protesting the transfer of Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert from Evin to Qarchak prison and expressing grave concern for her safety and well-being.
Prominent Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab released from prison
MESA is pleased to report that the prominent Bahraini human rights activist, Nabeel Rajab has been released from prison – albeit under “severe restrictions” – after serving four of a five-year sentence.
Recent developments in Turkey targeting Istanbul Sehir University
Letter regarding recent developments affecting Istanbul Sehir University that have compromised the university’s governance and autonomy and now threaten it with closure as a result of an apparently politically motivated campaign by the Turkish government.
Calling on Iranian authorities to immediately release Fariba Adelkhah and Roland Marchal
Letter to Iranian authorities calling for the immediate release of Fariba Adelkhah and Roland Marchal amid their personal health crisis and deteriorating health conditions in the country’s prisons.
Urging immediate release of Patrick Zaki and other scholars from Egyptian state pre-trial detention without justifiable cause
Letter urging the immediate release of Patrick Zaki, student at the University of Bologna, Italy, who has been detained by Egyptian security forces since 7 February 2020 and tortured. Letter also urges the immediate release of all students and scholars held in pre-trial detention without justification.
Urging Egypt’s cooperation on murder investigation of Italian student Giulio Regeni
Letter urging the Egyptian authorities to cooperate with a new Italian investigation of Giulio Regeni's murder.
CAF response to Hebrew University letter regarding Issawiyah neighborhood
A follow-up letter to the administration of Hebrew University with a call for the University to declare its solidarity with Issawiyah and to act immediately to demilitarize the campus.