Uniperversity
From the Something is Rotten on US University Campuses Department:
Muslim members of the University of California, Irvine’s graduating class will wear green sashes emblazoned with the word “shahada” in Arabic along with their commencement robes in tomorrow’s ceremony ñ a reference some say is an incitement to violence that should not be allowed.“Shahada” can be translated several ways, including as a declaration of faith in Islam, but it often is used in reference to “martyrdom” ñ especially martyrdom attained by suicide bombers.
And if you are wondering what meaning the students intend, wonder no longer.
Columnist Arnold Steinberg wrote in FrontPage last week that Muslim students at UC Irvine recently wore green armbands to support Hamas, a Middle East terrorist organization.“The leaders of Jewish campus organizations protested in vain to the politically correct administration, which is (or pretends to be) unfamiliar with Hamas’ charter,” he wrote.
“The MSU also has displayed posters on campus that equate the Star of David with the Swastika.”
Steinberg says Jewish groups have tried to get the school’s administration to take responsibility for what he says are incendiary speeches by Muslim activists.
“Leaders of Hillel and other Jewish groups on campus have requested the administration record the speakers MSU and SAS [Society of Arab Students] bring to campus,” he wrote. “The administration refused their request, even though the guests of MSU and SAS have reportedly called for an Islamic revolution in America and for supporting Hamas in its war against ‘Zionists’ ñ and Western civilization.”
But back to the university reaction:
Sally Peterson, dean of students at UCI, defended the university against critics who say the school shouldn’t allow such a display.Peterson admits the word “shahada,” besides being a reference to Islam, “has also taken on many other meanings depending on where you sit. For some it is seen as ‘kill all Jews’ or it is seen as a reference to suicide bombers,” she said.
Despite different meanings applied to the Arabic word, the administrator said UCI is not permitted to limit the Muslim Student Union members’ freedom to wear the sashes.
“This is a public university, and we are not permitted ñ no matter how offensive the speech ñ not to allow it or we are violating the First Amendment,” Peterson said, emphasizing, “Just because we support [the students'] free speech does not mean we support the content.”
“It’s clearly a violation of free speech if we do not permit it,” Peterson said. “There has been significant case law to back this up.”
I think what is in order is for Jewish students, and their supporters, to wear one of Allah’s Six Days t-shirts on campus. I assume the same principles of free speech will protect them?
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: MT Archives
–I think what is in order is for Jewish students,
and their supporters, to wear one of Allah’s Six
Days t-shirts on campus–
Sure, their freedom of speech would be protected.
And so would the speech of anyone who refered to a
black with the ‘N’ word.
What is needed is a riot with an accompanying
lawsuit because the U allowed someone to “yell fire
in a crowded theater.”
what a joke, this overt endorsement by the administration of UCI of the muslim student union to allow them to wear green sashes in support of hamas paid by the taxpayers of california. all in defense of free speech. I hope as another commentator said, this incites riots and allows the universities administraters to be prosecuted under the same implications of shouting fire in a movie theater. I hope as well that a collectivity of citizens in california commits tax evasion to prevent their hard earned dollars from being put to use by groups like the muslim student union, which obviously doesn’t represent the views of muslims in theis country, however, i highly doubt that any protest will take place while the taxpayers foot the bill.
“wear one of Allah’s Six Days t-shirts on campus”?
Sure, but what they really need are blue and white “Six Days” sashes to wear onstage.
The word “shahada” is not on the sash. The inscription “la illaha illa Allah Muhammad rasool Allah” (There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet)which referred to as “The Shahada”
Why dont you guys get your news straight and grow up while youre at it.