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| Muslim scholar condemns US decision to cancel visa |
| 2004-08-25 |
| Now I know we are doing something right! Geneva-born Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan has said he is "in shock" that he will not be able to take up a teaching post in the United States after his visa was revoked. The US State Department said it had cancelled the visa at the request of the Department of Homeland Security. Ramadan — who was granted the visa in February - had been due to start teaching at Notre Dame University in Indiana next week. "All our affairs are already in order in the US. My children are registered in American schools. I'm in shock," he said. On Wednesday he told swissinfo that he had appealed to the Swiss authorities to put pressure on Washington to reverse its decision. "[Swiss Foreign Minister] Micheline Calmy-Rey has personally intervened, through the US embassy in Bern, to get an explanation," he said. "If the American administration realises that this file was badly managed, I am hopeful that it will quickly reconsider its decision," he added. The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed that it was providing Ramadan with "consular support", but spokesman Christian Meuwly declined to give further details. Russ Knocke, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman, said Ramadan's work visa had been revoked because of a section in federal law applying to foreigners who have used a "position of prominence within any country to endorse or espouse terrorist activity". He added that the cancellation of the visa was based on "public safety or national security interests". |
| Posted by:Anonymous6134 |
| #3 Puzzling how, after having been effectively told that he is not welcome at this time, he is persisting in his efforts to gain entry into the U.S. Were it to be made plain that I wasn't wanted in a place where I was seeking to go (especially if it wasn't essential that I get in), I sure as hell wouldn't keep on trying to go there. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-08-25 10:24:47 PM |
| #2 The guy is a strange one. Some say the only hope for Islam is the European Muslims here and here. Tariq is thought to be an example of the liberal moderate Moslem. His site indicates that he is an observant Moslem trying to reconcile the Koran and Western culture- a very difficult job. He is excellent TV material, very intelligent but very very different to the average European Muslim. From his writings I am sure he would not support Islamic terrorism but again I am sure Islamic terrorist would support him ( as they do for Sayyis Qutb) and Tariq would definitely not support any of the post 9/11 actions carried out by the US. |
| Posted by: Dave 2004-08-25 10:59:55 AM |
| #1 Excellent news. Now go away, Tariq, and go away stupid. |
| Posted by: BH 2004-08-25 10:34:17 AM |