Tariq Ramadan, the
renowned Muslum scholar who was expected to begin teaching about
peace at Notre Dame this past fall but couldn't because the government
wouldn't let him into the country, officially resigned his appointment
in December.
In a letter informing
the University of his decision he cited stress on him and his
family because of the uncertainty of their position. Ramadan,
who lives in Switzerland, was hired to teach in the Kroc Institute
for International Peace Studies and the classics department. But
last August, after his furniture had already been shipped to South
Bend, his visa was revoked by the State Department acting on a
recommendation from the Homeland Security Administration. No specific
information was provided to Ramadan or Notre Dame on the reasons
for the revocation, except that it involved matters of "national
security."
Ramadan is considered
highly influential among Muslims in Europe. He often writes and
lectures about how Muslims can remain true to their religion and
culture in the modern world.
In 2004 Time
magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the
world.
(April 2005)
