In Memoriam, Cornell Fleischer (1950-2023)
MESA mourns the passing of University of Chicago Kanuni Süleyman Professor of Ottoman and Modern Turkish Studies in the Departments of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and History Cornell Fleischer.
In Memoriam, Jere L. Bacharach (1938-2023)
MESA mourns the passing of former MESA President and MESA Bulletin Editor Jere L. Bacharach on April 9. 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In Memoriam, Jane C. Gaffney (1947-2022)
MESA mourns the passing of Jane C. Gaffney
In Memoriam, John Alden Williams (1928-2022)
MESA mourns the passing of John Alden Williams
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.
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.
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
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.
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
MESA 2022 Awards Ceremony (Video)
MESA 2022 Awards Ceremony, organized by Sara Palmer and Jeff Reger of MESA.
Letter to Iranian Authorities on behalf of Dr. Saeed Madani
Our letter protesting the unjust imprisonment of Iranian scholar and researcher, Professor Saeed Madani
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.
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
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.
Frequently asked questions about the future Annual Meeting format
An FAQ with answers to some frequently asked questions about the format of MESA's future annual meetings.
Middle East Scholars Announce 2022 Academic Freedom Award Recipients
The 2022 MESA Academic Freedom Award has been given to 6 Palestinian NGOs — Addameer, Al-Haq, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defense for Children International - Palestine, Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees — for their decades-long pursuit of academic freedom, courageous resilience, and contributions to the field of Middle East Studies.
MESA Announces 2022 Award Recipients
On December 2, 2022, MESA awarded 17 individuals for excellence in scholarship, mentoring, and service, and to 6 Palestinian NGO's for their decades-long pursuit of academic freedom, courageous resilience, and contributions to the field of Middle East Studies.
The Ethics of Weeping: The Case of Islam
Weeping is a way to express commitment to a community and what it holds to be sacred, but not all weeping is the same, even in a single religious tradition.
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.