: Possible Donation Return Puts Harvard Islamic Professorship At Risk

The history of donations to US universities has long been characterized by accepting money from pretty much anyone, regardless of circumstance. Some of America’s most prestigious universities were founded with grants from “robber barons” and other early industrialists who crossed through all sorts of ethical boundaries in the pursuit of their wealth. But a $2.5 million donation by UAE President Shaykh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to the Harvard Divinity School to fund a professor of Islamic Studies has irked some theology students and sparked an investigation which could possibly result in the return of the funds. “Let?s face it, no money that?s generated by our modern world is not tainted,” said Lamont Professor of Divinity Paul D. Hanson (who, by the way, was one of the professors who signed a “Divest from Israel” petition), “but we need to make sure that the money is constructive without entanglements.” The issue at hand is not the Shaykh himself, but a center founded in his name – the Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up, a think tank committed to “free dialogue between conflicting and diverse views and opinions.” While the Center has hosted some notable Americans (Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Al Gore) as well as other former high-ranking officials, they have also hosted some more unsavory characters, such as Dr. Umayma “Jews use Gentile blood in their Purim pastries” Al-Jalahma. (Other speakers charged with being anti-Semitic by MEMRI are simply silly conspiracy theorists.) The debate centers around the responsibility that Shaykh Zayed has for the center founded in his name. And with so many organizations and institutions in the country named after him (as is so typical for Arab leaders), the links are most likely weak. “That smacks of a witch hunt,” says James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute “There is no relationship between Sheik Zayed and the center.” A decision hasn’t been made yet as to whether Harvard will keep the money, but if the quality of the Zayed Center is accurately represented by some of their invitees, then perhaps the money would be better spent making improvements to that institution instead.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.