Division II school stops Jihadists winning streak

gwayneco · Apr 21, 2006

http://www.undergrad.nova.edu/news.cfm?AnnouncementID=311

Author Salman Rushdie is the keynote speaker for undergraduate commencement

May 7, 2006

The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to welcome author Salman Rushdie as keynote speaker for the university’s undergraduate commencement exercises on May 7, 2006 at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, FL. Nova Southeastern University will award Rushdie an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

The commencement speech by Rushdie will serve as a capstone for the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences’ year-long interdisciplinary exploration of the theme of “Good and Evil” through classroom activities and public events. Throughout 2005–2006, the college welcomed to campus leaders in the arts, sciences, and public affairs whose lives and work offer valuable perspective on issues of tolerance, acceptance, and social justice. “I am excited and thrilled. Here is a man who put principles and ideas on the line and is the perfect commencement speaker. He not only goes well with the year’s theme of good and evil, but is a shining example to students in deed and word about standing up for beliefs and commitment,” said Gary Gershman, Ph.D., an assistant professor of history and legal studies in the Division of Humanities.

Rushdie has written more than 15 novels and short story collections and is the recipient of numerous literary awards, including the Booker Prize for Fiction and the Whitbread Book Award. He is widely regarded as a leading novelist of the 20th century and a strong advocate of free expression in writing. “Rushdie exemplifies not only creative brilliance, but courage,” said David McNaron, Ph.D., an associate professor of philosophy in the Division of Humanities. Rushdie gained widespread international attention in 1988. After publication of his novel The Satanic Verses, he was forced into hiding by an Iranian government death sentence issued against him in response to the book.

The College of Arts and Sciences proudly welcomes Salman Rushdie as an individual who signifies higher education’s central role in the open, uncensored examination of social, cultural, and religious issues. “The choice of Rushdie as speaker inspires questions, invites challenges and embodies larger issues like the importance of free thought and the necessity of creative scholarship,” said Eileen Smith, Ph.D., an assistant professor of sociology in the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “His literary themes, from identity to racism to immigration, are at the forefront of current events and they are the issues that confront our graduates. I have great hopes that his visit will inspire dialogue and a respectful, but lively, exchange of intellectual ideas.”

For more information, go to www.undergrad.nova.edu/commencement
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But not everyone is happy.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/nation/14381245.htm

Students object to Rushdie invitation

BY DOUANE D. JAMES
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

DAVIE, Fla. - Some students at Nova Southeastern University say the school's move to invite author Salman Rushdie to speak at graduation is an insult and they want campus officials to reconsider their choice.

A small group of concerned undergraduate students will meet with the private university's leadership Thursday, although Nova is unlikely to replace the author, whose 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses" was accused of being blasphemous to Islam.

Graduating senior Farheen Parvez said she and her family would boycott the graduation ceremony, scheduled for May 7 in Sunrise, Fla.

"I was looking forward to my graduation, of course," said Parvez, a student leader and officer in the International Muslim Association at Nova. "Then when I found out that Salman Rushdie would be the speaker, I was appalled."

Rushdie, award-winning author of nine novels, is best known worldwide because "The Satanic Verses" provoked an uproar in the Muslim world. In the novel, a near-death experience changes two Indian expatriates to Britain into living symbols of good and evil, who then go through a series of dreams and revelations.

In announcing Rushdie as a speaker, Nova officials praised him as an example of "higher education's central role in the open, uncensored examination of social, cultural and religious issues."

"Most importantly, he's an outspoken advocate of freedom of expression, which is a critical core value of the university," said Don Rosenblum, dean of Nova's undergraduate school.

Choosing Rushdie was not meant to insult anyone, Rosenblum said.

"I'm concerned for students who think it's intended as an affront," he said. "(Because) it's not. ... I hope through conversations in classrooms or person to person, we can reassure them."

Rushdie, being paid an undisclosed speaking fee, also will receive an honorary doctorate at the Nova ceremony.

A media representative for Random House, Rushdie's book publisher, could not be reached for comment.

Rosenblum said that universities look for "stature and significance" when selecting a lead speaker for graduation ceremonies. He also said that the bulk of the feedback from the Nova community so far on Rushdie had been positive.

Faculty suggested Rushdie as the keynote speaker because he fits well with Nova's yearlong study of the theme of "Good and Evil," Rosenblum said.

The university has explored that theme through classroom activities and public events such as panel discussions on the Rwanda genocide and a speech from Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel.

"If he was here for any other event, that would have been fine, because that's optional," said Parvez, a biology major. "But having him at graduation, it's not appropriate because that's for the families and for the students."

Besides concerns based on Rushdie's writing, students also expressed worries over safety.

"Who is to say there is not someone willing to try and kill him while inflicting harm to everyone else at the ceremony?" said NSU student Randy Rodriguez-Torres in an editorial published in this week's Nova student newspaper.

In 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran issued a fatwa, a religious edict, calling for the execution of Rushdie and placed a $3 million bounty on his head.

Khomeini later died and the Iranian government effectively withdrew the fatwa in 1998.

In recent years, Rushdie gradually has resumed a public life, speaking at universities and making other appearances.

Rosenblum said security at the ceremony would be similar to that for previous special events. Rushdie did not ask for added security, he said.

Though she disagreed with the choice of Rushdie, Nova student Sadia Dandia said she planned to attend the commencement. "I don't think a speaker should prevent anyone from going to their graduation ceremony. It's not something you can get back."

The issue of freedom of speech and deference to Islam has been a hot topic worldwide this year.
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CreepyFloyd · Apr 21, 2006

Divison II? Nova Southeastern University?? Is that the best Salman Rushdie can do these days???

tigermission1 · Apr 21, 2006

Hmm...so those students who're peacefully protesting and boycotting the university's decision to bring in Rushdie are "Jihadists"?

Good to know...

insane man · Apr 21, 2006

dissent=jihad

tigermission1 · Apr 21, 2006

insane man said:

dissent=jihad
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In that case, liberals / disenfranchised conservatives are "jihadists".

gwayneco · Apr 22, 2006

Not caving in to to threats of violence is a defeat for the Jihadists.

FranchiseBlade · Apr 22, 2006

gwayneco said:

Not caving in to to threats of violence is a defeat for the Jihadists.
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Exactly right. That is why the PATRIOT act, and warrantless wiretapping are the biggest victories of Jihadists yet. When they can get the U.S. govt. to trounce its own constitution based on the fear of violent threats, they are winning.

The best thing we could do is hold on stronger to our constitutional liberties.

tigermission1 · Apr 22, 2006

America is making a comeback, the Jihadist lead is not safe (sort of like the Rockets' leads are never safe).

SamFisher · Apr 22, 2006

Jihadists = BCS #1.

mc mark · Apr 22, 2006

FranchiseBlade said:

Exactly right. That is why the PATRIOT act, and warrantless wiretapping are the biggest victories of Jihadists yet. When they can get the U.S. govt. to trounce its own constitution based on the fear of violent threats, they are winning.

The best thing we could do is hold on stronger to our constitutional liberties.
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can I get an AMEN?!!!!

gwayneco · Apr 23, 2006

mc mark said:

can I get an AMEN?!!!!
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The ACLU wouldn't like that.

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