Brandeis rescinds offer of honorary degree to Islam critic [View all]
Source: Boston Globe
Facing public pressure, Brandeis University has canceled plans to award an honorary degree to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an outspoken critic of Islam and advocate for women’s rights.
The Waltham university announced Tuesday night it had rescinded its offer to the Somali-born activist, a week after announcing she would receive the honor at next month’s graduation ceremony.
“She is a compelling public figure and advocate for women’s rights, and we respect and appreciate her work to protect and defend the rights of women and girls throughout the world,” the university said in a statement. “That said, we cannot overlook certain of her past statements that are inconsistent with Brandeis University’s core values. For all concerned, we regret that we were not aware of these statements earlier.”
In a 2007 interview with Reason magazine, Hirsi Ali was quoted as saying that Islam needed to be defeated.
Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/04/09/brandeis-university-rescinds-planned-honorary-degree-outspoken-critic-islam/Y2GtwcKhLS9i9Cz9OIpuMP/story.html
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