Oxford’s recently appointed Chair of Islamic Studies, Professor Tariq Ramadan, has been dismissed from his positions at Erasmus University Rotterdam and as an advisor on ethnic integration to the city of Rotterdam.
The dismissals follow Ramadan’s decision to host a show on the Iranian channel Press TV. In a joint statement issued by the University and the city of Rotterdam, concern was expressed at the indirect association of Ramadan with Iran’s “repressive regime.” Ramadan’s involvement was judged to be “irreconcilable” with the two positions in the Netherlands.
Oxford University commented on the situation, “Freedom of speech is a fundamental right respected by the University.”
“Professor Ramadan’s views are entirely his own and do not represent the views of the University. However, the University does not in any way curtail the freedom of its academic staff to appear and express their opinions in the media.”
In response to his dismissal, Professor Ramadan has argued that in appearing on the channel he has chosen “the path of critical debate.”
Ramadan takes up his position at Oxford this September.
