Harvard: Return Sheikh Zayed's Hate Money

We members of the Harvard University community students, faculty, staff, and alumni and the general public call on the Harvard Divinity School to return Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyans donation for the creation of a chair in Islamic studies.

We support the creation of a chair in Islamic studies at Harvard Divinity School, but we oppose establishing it with the money and the name of one who spreads hate and lies. Harvard must not accept money from donors who oppress and abuse their own citizens, spread Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism, promote hatred of Americans, and validate conspiracy theories about September 11th.

The Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up, an Arab League think tank, is described on its website as the fulfillment of the vision of Sheikh Zayed.
o In August 2002, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Zayed Centers executive director, Mohammed Murar, stated, The truth is that the Jews are the enemies of all nations. His comments came on the heels of a Zayed Center report that stated, The Zionists are the people who killed the Jews in Europe.
o The Zayed Center hosted Umayma Jalahma, a Saudi professor who has declared, The Jewish people must obtain human blood so that their clerics can prepare for holiday pastries.
o The Zayed Center published the Arabic translation of Theiry Meyssans Apalling Fraud, which claims that the U.S. military was behind the September 11th attacks.
o The Zayed Center has hosted Holocaust deniers David Irving and Roger Garaudy

As ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed is responsible for his nations shameful human rights record, which includes, according to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, corporal punishment of dissidents and dictatorial governance Zayed has ruled as the UAEs unelected president since 1971. In addition, his regime has been cited for the use of child slave labor in the camel racing industry, abuse of domestic servants, and racial discrimination against foreign workers.

Especially at a time of rampant anti-American and anti-Semitic incitement that leads to the murder of innocent men, women, and children around the world, Harvard must not accept money from a donor who funds this hatred.

We the undersigned call upon President Lawrence Summers and Dean William Graham to restore the integrity of Harvard University and reject Sheikh Zayeds money.