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.
Reading Race in Medieval Arabic Literature a talk by Rachel Schine
Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies at New York University
How might we pursue comparative, critical study of premodern processes of racialization? This talk will cover main methods, meanings, and sources that the author engages in examining racialization in the Islamic Middle Ages, as well as some past and present problematics of doing so within the Euro-American academy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Images of Etel Adnan
Literatures of Annihilation, Exile, and Resistance
This event is taking place in remembrance of Etel Adnan, the beloved Lebanese-American poet, essayist, and visual artist, who passed away in November 2021. She is survived by her longtime partner, renowned Syrian Lebanese artist Simone Fattal.
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.
University of Denver Statement about Professor Nader Hashemi
Letter urging the University of Denver to reconsider its recent public statement concerning Professor Nader Hashemi.