January 20, 2010

Tariq Ramadan, granted entry to the US yesterday.

MPAC welcomed the news yesterday that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday signed an executive order allowing European Muslim professor Tariq Ramadan to travel to the United States. The order also lifted the ban on fellow academic Dr. Adam Habib of South Africa.

In 2004, Tariq Ramadan, an Oxford University Professor, was denied entry into the United States, based on unproven allegations that he donated money to terrorism. In 2006, University of Johnessburg Professor Adam Habib was also denied entry, but without any explanation given.

"Secretary Clinton's decision to lift the ban on Professors Ramadan and Habib is a victory for academic freedom and the marketplace of ideas," said Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. "Removing the restrictions placed against them is also a much-needed positive step forward for constructive U.S.-Muslim world relations."