The Review

Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy of Asaf Ramirowsky Asaf Ramirowsky's invitation to speak at a discussion panel was rescinded.

There is growing confusion concerning recent actions that involved a discussion panel at the university on Oct. 24.

Lara Rausch, president of the College Republicans, said the group hosted various events as part of Terrorism Awareness Week. One event that occurred on Oct. 24 was a panel titled "Understanding Anti-Americanism in the Middle East," co-sponsored by the College Democrats, Students of Western Civilizations and the Muslim Student Association.

Political science professor Muqtedar Khan was invited to speak at the panel, but after learning Israeli Defense Force veteran Asaf Romirowsky would also be speaking, he sent an e-mail message to Rausch explaining he was hesitant to appear with Romirowsky.

Khan said he never approached university officials with his concerns and instead directed his response to the College Republicans.

"I never e-mailed the university," he said. "They were never involved."

Khan said he e-mailed Rausch when he first received an e-mail message from her concerning the panel.

"Mr. Romirowsky was confirmed the night before the event," Rausch said. "I sent out an e-mail [message] to our three confirmed speakers about Mr. Romirowsky's confirmation and final details about the panel, when Dr. Kahn replied back to be with his e-mail [message]."

"I am also not sure how I feel about being on the same panel with an Israeli soldier who was stationed in West Bank," Kahn stated in his e-mail message. "I am not sure that I will be comfortable occupying the same space as him. It is not fair to spring this surprise on me at the last moment."

After Kahn's e-mail, Romirowsky's invitation to the panel was rescinded.

Romirowsky, a research fellow at the Middle East Forum in Philadelphia, said he believes it was an act of intolerance that his invitation was withdrawn.

"The panel is trying to show a wide range of opinions from all walks of life," he said. "It's important to hear what all people have to say. It just makes sense to me."

Kahn said he was not against debating with people of opposing views, but needed more time to prepare for such a situation.

"I have no problems in debating," he said. "I would just need time to adjust my lecture and topic depending on who the people were on the panel, and I didn't have time to do so."

Continued...

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