Khalid Ahmed Chaudry, 28 August 2009

on: Tariq Ramadan: Dismissal over TV Show, by Dirk Schümer

It's quite a very very sad event which unfortunately will help those populists who have been involve in the Islam Bashing. They would declare this as a victory! Both the City government of Rotterdam and the Erasmus University should have given Tariq Ramadan a chance to defend his case. But the decision was taken in such a rapid way that one has to doubt on the 'integrity of this decision'. Since there have been a regular debate in the Netherlands about Freedom of Expression and Writing, this decision is quite confusing.

Dutch constitution guarantees this rights. At least I am not aware of any other precedent when a University Professor has been sacked due to his or her visit abroad and taking part in academic events or even TV talk shows. (mostly developing countries or military or undemocratic regimes are known of taking these sorts of actions against their opponents.

That's why its quite disturbing that some institutions of democratic state had to take this action! I still hope that he will be given a chance and if he is guilty of breaking the known rules and regulations of his employment then in that case no one has the right to criticise the decision any more, but if not, then he has the full right to be reinstated with full honour and dignity.