COUNCIL OF ISLAMIC ORGANIZATIONS OF GREATER CHICAGO
330 East Roosevelt Road - Ste. G5; Lombard, IL 60148 - Ph.:
630-629-7490; www.ciogc.org
PRESS RELEASE Chicago - Tuesday, August 24, 2004
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, a federation of
Islamic institutions serving over 400,000 Chicago-area Muslim Americans,
expresses deep concern at the last-minute revocation of Dr. Tarik
Ramadan's travel visa by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just
days before he was scheduled to begin teaching at the University of
Notre Dame. Dr. Ramadan was scheduled to teach Islamic philosophy and
ethics classes starting Tuesday through the Joan B. Kroc Institute for
International Peace Studies. After previously granting a visa after a
lengthy clearance procedure, the DHS suddenly revoked the visa for no
apparent reason, citing the USA Patriot Act.
In a statement released to the Chicago Tribune, the University of Notre
Dame said, "Professor Ramadan is a distinguished scholar and a voice for
moderation in the Muslim world. We know of no reason his entry should be
prevented."
Expressing serious concern on behalf of the Muslim community, Council
Chairman, Kareem Irfan, stated: "By barring a highly accomplished
scholar and globally regarded Muslim intellectual like Dr. Ramadan, this
inexplicable action unfairly tarnishes this respected academic's
reputation and teaching career and also demeans the commendable,
far-sighted decision of Notre Dame to appoint him to an important
teaching position. More over, the resultant silencing of Dr. Ramadan's
visionary and moderate Muslim perspectives will seriously detract from
essential enlightenment urgently needed in our nation about Islam and
its application in modern times."
The Council urges the DHS to reconsider this decision and quickly permit
Dr. Ramadan to enter the United States and begin his teaching role at
Notre Dame. This action goes against the spirit of tolerance, academic
independence and the free exchange of ideas upon which this nation is
based. At a time when we need more voices of tolerance and moderation,
the barring of Dr. Ramadan can only be seen as counterproductive to our
national goals.
***********************************************************
Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago
330 East Roosevelt Rd.
Lombard, IL 60148
Tel: (630) 629.7490
Fax: (630) 629.7492
Email: council
www.ciogc.org
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