Sami Al-Arian: Victim
of Intolerance or Threat to a University's Stability?
from The Chronicle of Higher Education
http://chronicle.com/colloquylive/2002/02/alarian/
Wednesday, February 6, at 2 p.m., U.S. Eastern time
Should Sami Al-Arian be dismissed from his tenured job at the University
of South Florida?
Since September 11, there have been numerous incidents in which faculty
members have been criticized for their comments about terrorism, U.S.
foreign policy, and the Middle East. But only one tenured professor
-- Sami Al-Arian of the University of South Florida -- faces the prospect
of losing his job for his public comments. Mr. Al-Arian has been the
source of controversy at the university for several years, with his
critics saying that his comments about Israel promote hate and his
defenders saying that he is a caring professor whose comments -- however
controversial -- must be defended as part of free speech and academic
freedom. After some statements that Mr. Al-Arian made in 1991 were
discussed, post-September 11, on a national television show, the university
was bombarded with criticism, threats to revoke donations, and some
death threats for Mr. Al-Arian. The university's Board of Trustees
has authorized his dismissal -- and the university's president, while
not making a final decision, has said his dismissal would be appropriate
-- because of the disruptions Mr. Al-Arian's statements have caused
at the university. Many faculty groups say that the move against Mr.
Al-Arian is a serious violation of free speech and academic freedom.
» Blaming
the Victim? (2/8/2001)
Mr. Al-Arian is a professor of computer engineering at the University
of South Florida, in Tampa. A Palestinian refugee born in Kuwait in
1958, Mr. Al-Arian has lived in the United States since 1975. He earned
a Ph.D. at North Carolina State University in 1985 and has taught
at South Florida since 1986. He won an award for outstanding teaching
in 1993. He is the founder and leader of the Islamic Academy of Florida,
where more than 200 elementary- and secondary-school children are
educated. Mr. Al-Arian will respond to comments and questions about
his situation at South Florida on Wednesday, February 6, at 2 p.m.
U.S. Eastern time. Advance questions are encouraged and may be posted
now.
A transcript
of the chat follows.
Sharon Walsh
(Moderator):
Hello. I'm Sharon Walsh, senior editor of
The Faculty section for The Chronicle. I'll be the moderator
today. We'll be talking with Sami Al-Arian, a tenured professor of
computer sciences and engineering at the University of South Florida.
The board of trustees of USF has recommended that the university's
president, Judy L. Genshaft, fire Mr. Al-Arian. Their reason: Some
of Mr. Al-Arian's comments--which were made more than a decade ago--have
caused disruption to the campus after Mr. Al-Arian appeared on a Fox
talk show, "The O'Reilly Factor." It's nice to have you with us, Mr.
Al-Arian.
Sami Al-Arian:
Thank you very much for inviting me. I'd like
to state from the start, that as I've always said before, I only represent
myself and not the University of South Florida.
Question from
Sharon Walsh:
I'd like to begin with a general question
that lots of people seem interested in: What is your position with
USF right now? Have you actually been fired? And what are you planning
to do in response to the situation?
Sami Al-Arian:
On December 19, I received a "letter of intent
to terminate" my employment at USF. It was based on four reasons,
which I'll state briefly. First, that I did not make it clear that
my views are not those of USF. Second, that I came to campus once
after my paid leave suspension. Third, that I disrupted the USF campus,
and finally that there was a conflict of interest based on my comments
over a decade ago and the university's interests.
We filed our
response on January 14th. We totally refuted these reasons based
on the facts as well the law. For instance, I was never told not
to come to campus. When I was on campus I was addressing a student
organization that I advise. Moreover, the police were never advised
of this ban since they did not ask me to leave on that day. In fact,
the police asked me to come to campus three days later to pick up
the letter from the provost that said that I wasn't supposed to
come to campus. As for the disruptions on campus, of course it was
caused by others who threatened the campus, not me.
At this point
President Genshaft has not terminated my employment as she says
she is seeking the advice and input of others.
Question from
Bruce Hadburg, Saint Leo University:
Dr. Al-Arian: To better enable the academic
community to understand your professional reputation, could you please
tell me what the most recent three "student evaluations" of you as
a professor were?
Sami Al-Arian:
I'm very proud of my accomplishment at USF.
I've always maintained my professionalism and never discussed any
political matter with my students or even other faculty. I have also
twice received best teacher awards. As for the evaluations, I received
an outstanding evaluation (the highest one can receive) from the faculty
peer evaluation committee and the department's chairman the last two
years. The most recent students' evaluations I believe were 5.0 out
of 5.0 in my graduate course and 4.74 and 4.55 out of 5.0 in my undergraduate
courses.
Question from
Sharon Walsh:
The response to the O'Reilly Factor involved
the reaction to some things you said some time ago. Can you explain
what they were and when they were said? Have you made any of these
statements in your classroom?
Sami Al-Arian:
The statement that Mr. O'Reilly referred to
was said in 1988 during the first and mainly non-violent Palestinian
uprising (intifada) between 1987 and 1993. All the statements that
the media has been circulating date back to 1991 or before. It's important
to note that the statement in question "death to Israel" means the
end to occupation, to oppression and to the apartheid-like system
that the Palestinians have been living under for over 34 years. It
certainly did not mean "death to Jews" as some tried to portray it.
I have many Jewish friends whom I admire, respect a nd value their
friendship. I believe that when President Reagan called the Soviet
Union "the evil empire," did not mean that every Russian and Soviet
citizen is an evil person. He most certainly was referring to the
communist totalitarian system and definitely not the people. I have
condemned in the strongest possible language the criminal acts of
Sept. 11th. Also, I have always condemned the targeting of innocent
civilians regardless of their religion or ethnicity not simply based
on political considerations but on moral and religious grounds.
Question from
Dr. Mrabet's Arab Qatari Students, Higher Education of Academic
Bridge:
You are a computer engineer and so we are
wondering why you spoke about politics? Do you think now that it is
better to speak out and jeapordize your job, or is it better to avoid
political discussion in world of academe?
Sami Al-Arian:
As a concerned citizen, we speak about public
matters. I think that is every person's right. The speeches that are
in question were given in the late 80s and early 90s when the first
Palestinian uprising was taking place. I do not think that commenting
on political and international events is only the subject of politicians
or the so-called experts within the Washington D.C. beltway. In addition,
I think it is the obligation and duty for any person to speak up on
issues of justice and national concerns.
I don't believe
that any person should feel threatened to lose their jobs for the
fear of speaking out. This is the United States of America, and
it's a constitutional right for people to speak their mind.
Question from
Sharon Walsh:
The university president wrote to The New
York Times that your outside activities have led to the "endangerment
of students, faculty and staff, and the disruption of academic programs."
What is your response to her concerns?
Sami Al-Arian:
I'm sorry to say that the USF president is
mistaken, because the so-called outside activities took place over
a decade ago. There is absolutely nothing that I have said recently,
or since Sept. 11 in particular, that has been cited as a reason for
the threats and the hate e-mail against the university. Even what
happened a decade ago are protected First Amendment activites that
did not in any way, shape, or form threaten the function of the university.
In fact, a USF investigation led by former American Bar Association
president William Reece Smith Jr. has concluded that neither I nor
the organizations in question did anything wrong. Moreover, former
USF president Betty Castor said in 1996 that there was no illegal
activity, subversive activity, or terrorist activity ever found by
the investigation.
Question from
barry augenbraun, st. petersburg, fl:
Was the "think tank" that you organized at
USF in fact a vehicle for dissemination of terrorist propaganda and
activity?
Sami Al-Arian:
The World and Islam Studies Enterprise (WISE)
was a research and academic institute established to foster a dialogue
between Western academics and Muslim academics and intellectuals.
In five years, between 1990 and its closing in 1995, WISE produced
over 4,000 pages of journals and proceedings. In these journals and
proceedings, over 100 professors, academics, and intellectuals participated.
They were among the top university professors in the country in the
areas of Islam, the Middle East, and International Studies.
This allegation
was presented to INS judge R. Kevin McHugh, in which he said the
following: "Although there were allegations that the ICP and WISE
were fronts for Palestinian political causes, there is no evidence
before the court that demonstrated that either organization was
a front for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. To the contrary, there
is evidence in the record to support the conclusion that WISE was
a reputable and scholarly research center and the ICP was highly
regarded." (p. 48 of the judge's ruling).
I would like
to note that the judge said "no evidence." He didn't say "some evidence"
or "little evidence" or "vague evidence" or "not so convincing evidence,"
but "no evidence." In addition, the judge's ruling was appealed
to a three-judge panel in Washington, D.C., which did not overturn
his ruling. Then it was apealled to then-attorney general Janet
Reno, who did not overturn the judge's ruling. Then the government
appealed the ruling to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, but shortly
before the 11th Circuit was about to take it, the government withdrew
its appeal.
Question from
Kristin Lems, National-Louis University:
What initiatives have been taken by academics
to support you so far? We decry the witchhunts of McCarthyism during
the cold war, defend the critics of the Vietnam War and their right
to speak out, yet your story is right up there with them.
Sami Al-Arian:
I'm very grateful for the outpouring of support
I received from many professors and academics from USF as well as
from around the nation. The USF faculty senate voted 4 to 1 against
the dismissal. The USF faculty union as well as the union's state
chapter voted unanimously to support my case. Other labor unions have
also provided their support. FIRE (The Foundation of Individual Rights
in Education), a prominent private foundation defending the rights
of higher education professors, has also given its support and is
mobilizing its resources. Most important of course is the position
of the AAUP, which said that it's extremely concerned about the situation.
It has also warned USF about a possible censure. It would be very
tragic if that happens. I'm truly humbled and gratified by the tremendous
show of support and would like to take this opportunity to thank each
and every person and organization who sent a letter to the president
or lent their support.
Question from
Judith M Stevens, American citizen:
You have been in this country taking advantage
of its educational system to acquire your degrees and your position.
Why have you not yet become an American citizen?
Sami Al-Arian:
I got my green card in 1989, through my employment.
I was eligible to apply for citizenship in 1994, which I did. I have
taken the exam and passed it, and was waiting for my other ceremony.
I have been waiting ever since.
In addition,
all of my family members, including my wife, 5 children, as well
as my father and brother, are all American citizens. I'm proud to
have lived in this country, and I'll be proud to become a citizen.
Question from
Qtaria,Qatar:
-Do you think it is better to keep silence
about what had happened in 11th Sept. or what is happening in Palastine
and just try to fix the wrong idea that was spread about Islam or
should we talk and say what we really think? -Do you advise Arabs
in America not to talk about political issues because America is not
a free country any more?
Sami Al-Arian:
I believe that we should freely talk about
what happened on Sept. 11th. I have condemned it in the strongest
possible terms. What happened on Sept. 11 is a criminal act against
humanity and I have supported the efforts to bring these criminals
to justice. I also condemn the terrorism that the Palestinians have
been subjected to for the past 3 decades or more. I also believe it
is the duty of every peace-loving and justice-seeking person to speak
up on behalf of the weak and the helpless.
I believe that
Amercian citizens of Arab or Muslim decent have the right, like
everyone else in the country, under the Constitution, to voice their
opinion. I believe that the overwhelming majority of Americans and
Muslim Americans are law-abiding, tax-paying, peaceful people. They
would like to raise their families in peace. They love this country
and they should never be made scapegoats for extremist agendas of
special interest groups. The Arab viewpoint as well as the Islamic
viewpoint on national issues should have the opportunity to be represented
in our national dialogue without fear or intimidation.
Question from
Jay, Florida community college:
Was Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman ever invited
to speak at conferences of the Islamic Committee for Palestine (which
you organized as the President of that organization)?
Sami Al-Arian:
Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman received his visa
by U.S. Consulate in Africa. Someone allowed him into the country
at the border. Someone in the government interviewed him and gave
him a green card later on. I have nothing to do with all that. As
a Muslim scholar, he was going from conference to conference across
the United States. In 1990, he stopped by one of our conferences and
requested to speak to the participants. He gave a religious sermon.
Comment from Jamal
En-nehas, UMI (ennehasj@hotmail.com):
To dismiss a faculty member on political grounds
or just to please a growing intolerant intellectual mob is, by universal
standards, unacceptable. It is preposterous to allow hate and racist
groups across the American academic spectrum to make injurious comments
in the name of freedom of speech (I can cite hundreds of examples),
while taking the real freedom of speech from Sami just because of
the values he stands for. I appeal to all academics to resist the
move to dismiss Sami, for by defending his rights we are defending
ours, no matter where we are.
Question from
Amy, lecturer at USF:
Do you condemn the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
organization as a terrorist organization?
Sami Al-Arian:
I have said many times before that I condemn
all organizations and states that target innocent civilians, regardless
of their religion and ethnicity, whether these organizations or countries
pretend to be religious or secular.
Question from
John K. Wilson, Illinois State University:
USF officials claim that death threats against
you entitle them to fire you. Have you seen any documentation of how
many death threats were made, and how many occurred immediately before
your firing to cause an ongoing danger?
Sami Al-Arian:
When the provost and the dean of my college
met with me on Sept. 27, 2001 they told me that that day there had
been credible death threat for which they had to evacuate the floor.
What I didn't know is that the same person who phoned in the death
threat called back 25 minutes later to retract the death threat, apologize,
and say that he meant no harm. The police officer who took the first
report also took the second report from the department secretary exactly
at the same time. In addition, according to the university police,
none of the death threats rose to the level of criminal prosecution.
According to them, the last one came at the end of October. I personally
have not been briefed on any of these threats or given a full account
of what actually transpired.
Question from
Brian, writing tutor at Temple University:
Dr. Al-Arian, do you feel that you were misrepresented
on The O'Reilly Factor? Will you be more selective in choosing who
you will talk to in the media?
Sami Al-Arian:
Definitely. Unfortunately, I was misled by
the producer of the show. Right now I am very distrustful of TV news
magazines and talk-show programs.
Question from
Tareque Rabbu, student at the University of Chicago:
Due to the political nature of your firing,
are you considering or have you begun legal action against the University
of South Florida?
Sami Al-Arian:
Actually, I haven't been formally fired yet.
I was given a notice to terminate, and if the firing becomes final,
then I will seek all legal means to rectify the situation.
Question from
Katie, human rights NGO:
So, the committee seeking to fire you is claiming
that statements you made approximately 10 years ago are currently
"disruptive?"
Sami Al-Arian:
Yes. That's exactly what they're saying.
Question from
Robert, a USF professor:
Did you ever use your office address at the
University of South Florida as a return address for your Islamic Committee
for Palestine when organizing conferences for that organization? If
so, what were your reasons for doing so?
Sami Al-Arian:
I don't recall ever using my office as a return
address.
Question from
Nicole Fotovat, USF:
What reasons does the administration give
for not allowing you to teach your students through 'distance-learning'
before putting you on paid leave?
Sami Al-Arian:
They refuse to give a reason. The only reason
they gave me for not being on campus is safety, but they refuse to
discuss other possibilities.
Question from
S. Sussman, PBCC, IRCC:
Yes, even the most hateful speech should be
protected by the First Amendment. However, the Court has held to time,
place and manner restrictions. Should a university professor be able
to use his campus to express ideas that can be construed as hateful?
Can you understand why some are concerned? Should a person in your
position - a respected professor, who molds young minds - be held
to a higher standard?
Sami Al-Arian:
I have never said anything on campus that
is considered objectionable. I have never discussed politics with
my students, or even faculty members. If people have been misled by
some news outlets about the contents of some speeches given in a foreign
language over a decade ago, then these outlets should bear the responsibility
for inciting others in the wake of Sept. 11th. One must understand
that the rhetoric of the Palestinians in the 80s during the first
uprisings (Intafada) is similar to the rhetoric that Americans used
in the 60s during the Vietnam era. Can we say that people who objected
to the government policy in the 60s should be held responsible for
that rhetoric 20 years later?
Comment from Juli
Kirkpatrick, Soka University of America:
Are we also going to start sacking other tenured
professors who may espouse views that are not politcally correct or
go against the mainstream? If so that means that white supremacist,
or pro-choice, or anti-capitalism, or anti-artic oil-drilling, or
even anti-globalism view are grounds for dismissal from a university
teaching position. Where do you draw the line?
Question from
S. Sussman:
Do you also condemn the terrorism that the
Israelis have been subjected to for the past 54 years?
Sami Al-Arian:
I condemn the targeting of all innocent people
of all ethnicities, religions, and creeds. In addition, I support
the right as given in international law of people to resist against
occupation and oppression. As I condemn bombing buses and pizza parlors,
I also condemn the house demolitions, the seige of Palestinian towns
and villages, the assassination of Palestinian civilians, and the
use of military hardware by air, sea, and land, in terrorizing and
subjugating the Palestinian people. Peace in the holy land cannot
be dictated. The Palestinian Authority has given the historical compromise
by recognizing Israel on 78% of historical Palestine. Unless Israel
withdraws from the remaining 22%, and acknowleges the right of return,
unfortunately, peace will not be acheived. Hence, it is extremely
important for people of Arab descent, as well as other Muslims and
Jews, who live in America, to make a difference by calling for justice
and peaceful co-existence between Palestinians and Israelis, Arabs,
and Jews.
Question from
Tanya Feddern, USF alumni:
I've heard the USF concern about losing donor
contributions if they didn't fire you. Has anyone heard of donors
who will withdraw their support if you are fired from USF?
Sami Al-Arian:
That's an interesting question, because I
did get a letter from a grant agency whose name I don't recall. They
sent a letter to the USF president, in which they said that if I was
fired, the university would not be eligible for grants in the future.
I believe that many institutions will refrain from giving any grants
to any university that restricts academic freedom or punishes its
professors for exercising their constitutional First Amendment right.
As I understand it, the American Association of University Professors
(AAUP) is about to conduct an investigation into the matter. This
is a very serious situation for USF. I certainly hope that the matter
will be resolved so that censure could be avoided.
Comment from Bob
England, Northwest-Shoals Community College:
In light of the history of dissent in this
country, I cannot see how punishing a professor for what, at worst,
is idiotic speech, serves any good purpose. Before the Civil War,
the president and half the faculty at the University of Alabama were
run out of town for speaking out in favor of the abolition of slavery.
Unpopular ideas need to be judged within the entire context of our
history and not in the passion of a moment, regardless of how tragic
or dramatic.
Question from
Michael D. Fellows, USF:
What will the first thing you do when you
get hired back?
Sami Al-Arian:
The first thing that I'm going to do is thank
all my friends and supporters for the tremendous campaign to restore
justice and rationality into this situation, especially USF professors
and students. I would like to of course resume my teaching responsibilites
and to work with my students.
Question from
Muhammad Nasiem, USF Student:
Dr. Al-Arian, after the Muslim Student Association
at USF had called you to advise some of the students who were angry
because you were put on paid leave, it was claimed that you were not
allowed to be present on campus. What can you tell us about this?
Sami Al-Arian:
When the provost and the dean met with me
on Sept. 27th, I was never told not to come on campus. In fact, I
asked the provost when he told me that I was put on paid leave about
my graduate students. I was told that I could meet with them on nights
and weekends. I also asked a question about my participation the following
week in a teach-in at the St. Pete campus. The provost told me that
he would get back to me on that. If I had been told that I am banned
from campus, the answer to these questions would have been "You're
not supposed to be on campus, why are you asking these questions?"
When the police officer came and spoke with me during the Muslim Student
Association's meeting on campus on Oct. 5, he did not tell me to leave
because I was violating the instruction of being banned from campus.
He asked me if everything was all right, and when I told him yes,
he simply left. So obviously the police were not informed that I was
supposedly banned from campus. Three days later a police officer came
to my house and left me a message to go on campus to pick up a letter
from the provost. If I were banned from campus, why would the police
ask me to go on campus? Since that letter, I did not set foot on campus.
It's been 4 months.
Sharon Walsh
(Moderator):
That's all the time we have. Mr. Al-Arian,
thank you very much for your time and comments today. We're glad to
have had you with us.
Sami Al-Arian:
Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity
to chat with all those who are concerned about this very important
issue facing academia. I never thought that I would be the poster
child of academic freedom. But now that I am, I would like to urge
everyone who cares about the issues of free speech, academic freedom,
and tenure to take an active role in preserving these very important
constitutional and historical rights. Once again, I'd like to thank
The Chronicle for giving me this opportunity. |