A Muslim chaplain at Duke University has started a program that would send Muslim students to Jerusalem to meet and talk with Israeli Jews. On the surface, it seems like a worthwhile endeavor, you know, dialogue and all that. Of course, given my suspicion of the UC-Irvine Olive Tree Initiative. Interestingly, however, the program has resulted in strong opposition from other Muslim figures in academia, most notably, Hatem Bazian of UC Berkeley. Cinnamon Stillwell of Campus watch has an article in Frontpage magazine about the divide.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/259860/bds-profs-vs-muslim-leadership-institute-cinnamon-stillwell
I don't know much about Antepli. His only past mention in Fousesquawk was here. At any rate, if you draw the opposition of people like Bazian, Rabab Abdulhadi ( of San Francisco State fame) and Steven Salaita, you must be doing something right.
"The Muslim Leadership Initiative (MLI) was launched in summer 2013 under the directorship of Imam Abdullah Antepli and Yossi Klein Halevi. The program invites North American Muslims to explore how Jews understand Judaism, Israel, and Jewish peoplehood. The program also encourages participants to experience how Palestinians, both inside and outside Israel, identify themselves, while exploring the issues of ethics, faith, and practice."
Do you have a problem with that, Dr Bazian?
Good call, Gary.
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