DutchNews.nl - University staff angry at Ramadan sacking

University staff angry at Ramadan sacking

Monday 24 August 2009

A number of Erasmus University officials have protested at the way the university joined forces with Rotterdam city council to sack Tariq Ramadan, an expert on Islam and identity who was a guest lecturer for the past few years.

Ramadan was sacked by Erasmus and from his advisory job at the city council because of his involvement with an Iranian tv programme.

But in acting in tandem with the council, Rotterdam acted 'against academic freedom' and had been used by politicians, the academics say in a letter in Saturday's NRC.

'It is a politicial decision and we are shocked about it,' economics professor Arjo Klamer said. Professors can only be sacked if they are suspected of commiting a crime, fail to turn up to do their job or damage the university's reputation, he said.

Klamer points out in Monday's Volkskrant that Ramadan is a professor of contemporary Islamic studies at Oxford University where 'freedom of speech is a fundamental right'.

A spokesman for Erasmus told the paper the university authorities might respond to the allegations on Monday.

Ramadan's professorship at Erasmus was funded by the city council and his contract was with the city authorities, not the university itself, Ramadan told the Volkskrant in a telephone interview from Morocco.

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Readers' comments

Its quite an encouraging news that some colleagues of Mr.Tariq Ramadan at the Erasmus University are criticising his removal.

At least here in the west non of us would feel happy if the fundamental human rights are violated by individuals or institutions.

I wish the University Officials could reverse their decision which have been taken without an opportunity for Mr.Tariq Ramadan to defend his acts.

That's why This seams to be 'a Political decision'!

By Khalid Ahmed Chaudry | August 24, 2009 4:44 PM

It is in the last paragraph concerning payment.And it is not just his involvement"with an Iranian TV Programme", but as I understand it but his involvement with an Iranian TV propaganda station that is in favour of the current regime.

By Pieter van Schaaij | August 24, 2009 5:29 PM

this is a case for the European Fundamental Rights Agency.

this is a clear case of political prosecution and a violation of basic
human rights...

being involved with a tv program is not a valid reason, not even if it was a tvshow about extreme jihad or other
unpopular topics.

shame on U

By Dr.No. | August 24, 2009 11:14 PM

Mr van Schaaij's comment makes me wonder if university staff who might make an appearance on Fox News -- a fantastically propagandistic media outlet for far right christianist/nativist US military-corporate interests. Unlike Iran, which has no history of expansionist militarism and subjugating other states, the US freely invades, occupies, assassinates and controls wherever it pleases. If you consider Tariq Ramadan to be a propagandist or apologist, one can only assume you have not read the man's work. Try it.

By Tim Behrend | August 25, 2009 3:44 AM

People do not have a right to be employed or helped by other people. That would be slavery. Ramadan needs to look to his contract with his salary-provider (the city) for remedy, and not cry foul to the world.

Further, taxation initiates force to extract money (the same applies to armed robbery). Taxes should be replaced by user fees. After all, governments in the modern sense have existed for only 5000 years or so, a tiny fraction of the entire timeline of humanity. Government arose naturally, in order to protect the wealth created by the agricultural revolution. Natural government reached it's apogee around 1900, due to the vastly increased wealth made possible by manufacturing. There was simply more to protect.

Thousands of years of slow, painful progress, have been put in serious jeapordy by the last 100 years or so.
Government has become a predator, under the guise of providing that which it does not produce (welfare).

If the city needs an expert consultant in how to deal with the problems created by literal Islam, they have the means provided by citizens they are charged to protect. Let them spend this money wisely, and get the consent of the contributors, who maynot appreciate the hiring of a Jihadist.

By kevin | August 25, 2009 8:46 AM

I am against the academic boycott of Isreal and I similarly oppose this action. No doubt it is a matter of deep disgrace that Tariq did not resign from PRESS TV Iran after the Iranian 'election' but that is no reason to fire him.

By sara | August 28, 2009 9:09 PM