Noemi Bouet
After weeks of violence in Burkina Faso, in which at least six students died, the government has shut down all universities until further notice. The Yemini army has injured 98 students while attempting to halt protests on campuses. In Sudan, 100 students and youths have been arrested since January and many have reported severe mistreatment and torture. An Iranian history lecturer has been dismissed after publishing critical articles, and the Iranian Ministry of Education has announced new restrictions on students abroad. In Malawi, lecturers striking against interference in academic freedom have defied a presidential order to go back to work.
After weeks of violence and a major demonstration, the government has shut down all universities across Burkina Faso until further notice, the Washington Post reported on 14 March.
At least six students have died in clashes with the police over the last month. Damage to public offices in the northern city of Ouahigouya, and cuts to social services for students have also been reported.
The government closed universities in response to student protests related to the death of Justin Zongo, a student who died on 20 February while in police custody in Koudougou, west of the capital Ouagadougou.
The Yemeni army wounded 98 students during an attempt to stop protests taking place on university campuses, the Guardian reported on 9 March 2011.
The army violently attacked students who have been camping on campuses since mid-February to protest against President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Inspired by recent popular unrest in Tunisia and Egypt, students at Sana'a University are calling the president to step down.
The government's attempt to control and stop the protests ended with a violent confrontation between the army and the students.
Soldiers used rubber bullets and tears gas to break up the protest and wounded 98 students. According to health workers, a number of students are severely injured.
Seyed Hossein Javdani, a history lecturer at Payame Noor University in Mashad, has been dismissed after publishing critical articles, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported on 7 March.
Javdani was banned from teaching at Payame Noor University after the university security unit and security organisations requested the faculty not to assign him courses at the beginning of the new term. He said he had not been directly informed of his dismissal.
According to Javdani, who is also a member of the central council of Khorasan's Tahkim-e Vahdat Alumni Association (Advar) branch and former secretary of Tehran University's Islamic Association of Democracy Seeking Students, his activities outside the university are not in any measure related to his function and duties as a lecturer.
More on the University World News site
Source: University World News, Issue No: 0163, 20 March 2011
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10 Maret 2010
Malaysia: Terror-accused Students Remain in Detention
Tunde Fatunde
The Geneva-based World Organisation Against Torture (OMTC) has protested to the Malaysian government over the arrest in January of 50 people at the International Islamic University near the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. They are believed to include at least two students from Nigeria and others from Ghana, Kenya, Syria and the Sudan. Although 38 of those arrested were later released, 12 remain in custody and were accused of having links with Al-Qaeda. Two of the Nigerian students are likely to be deported - another incident involving students and religious extremism that is causing the Nigerian authorities concern.
The previous incident involved former Nigerian student Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was arrested in the US after allegedly trying to blow up an American aircraft en route from Amsterdam last Christmas day.
In its letter of protest to the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, the OMCT says it is seriously concerned about the fate of the 12 individuals, in particular because of the 60-day detention for investigation allowed under the Internal Ssecurity Act.
"Previous detainees under the ISA have reported to have been interrogated and tortured during that initial detention time," the organisation says.
Malaysian security agencies are believed to have swooped on an audience attending a lecture at the Islamic University campus in Senangor. The packed audience was listening to a lecture by Syrian Islamic preacher and fiery orator Sheikh Aiman Al Dakkak, who advocated the need for Muslims to destroy the infidel Christian America and Europe.
More on the University World News site
Source: University World News, Issue No: 0114, 07 March 2010
The Geneva-based World Organisation Against Torture (OMTC) has protested to the Malaysian government over the arrest in January of 50 people at the International Islamic University near the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. They are believed to include at least two students from Nigeria and others from Ghana, Kenya, Syria and the Sudan. Although 38 of those arrested were later released, 12 remain in custody and were accused of having links with Al-Qaeda. Two of the Nigerian students are likely to be deported - another incident involving students and religious extremism that is causing the Nigerian authorities concern.
The previous incident involved former Nigerian student Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was arrested in the US after allegedly trying to blow up an American aircraft en route from Amsterdam last Christmas day.
In its letter of protest to the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, the OMCT says it is seriously concerned about the fate of the 12 individuals, in particular because of the 60-day detention for investigation allowed under the Internal Ssecurity Act.
"Previous detainees under the ISA have reported to have been interrogated and tortured during that initial detention time," the organisation says.
Malaysian security agencies are believed to have swooped on an audience attending a lecture at the Islamic University campus in Senangor. The packed audience was listening to a lecture by Syrian Islamic preacher and fiery orator Sheikh Aiman Al Dakkak, who advocated the need for Muslims to destroy the infidel Christian America and Europe.
More on the University World News site
Source: University World News, Issue No: 0114, 07 March 2010
23 September 2009
Indonesia: Top Academic Supported Militarism
David Jardine
An Australian academic’s book about Indonesia’s military reveals the alleged role of a leading academic and university rector in spinning history in favour of militarism and the dictatorship. Nugroho Notosusanto, one-time rector of the University of Indonesia and Minister of Education under Suharto, is the subject.
In 1945, when Indonesia proclaimed its independence from the Netherlands, it had no army-in-waiting, indeed no police, nothing at all in the way of a formal apparatus of repression or defence. The leadership was essentially anti-militarist and in the case of Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir, avowedly anti-fascist.
Twenty years later the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) submerged the nation's leftists, principally but not solely the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in a bloodbath that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
That bitter episode continues to be the target of official obfuscation and falsification. The shameful 2007 burnings of school history texts offering alternative versions of the events of 1965-66 demonstrate a continuum between democratic Indonesia and Suharto's New Order, at least where presentation of uncomfortable truths is concerned. The spectre of the New Order continues to hover above writers and historians.
More on the University World News site
Source: University World News, Issue No: 0093 20 September 2009
An Australian academic’s book about Indonesia’s military reveals the alleged role of a leading academic and university rector in spinning history in favour of militarism and the dictatorship. Nugroho Notosusanto, one-time rector of the University of Indonesia and Minister of Education under Suharto, is the subject.
In 1945, when Indonesia proclaimed its independence from the Netherlands, it had no army-in-waiting, indeed no police, nothing at all in the way of a formal apparatus of repression or defence. The leadership was essentially anti-militarist and in the case of Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir, avowedly anti-fascist.
Twenty years later the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) submerged the nation's leftists, principally but not solely the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in a bloodbath that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
That bitter episode continues to be the target of official obfuscation and falsification. The shameful 2007 burnings of school history texts offering alternative versions of the events of 1965-66 demonstrate a continuum between democratic Indonesia and Suharto's New Order, at least where presentation of uncomfortable truths is concerned. The spectre of the New Order continues to hover above writers and historians.
More on the University World News site
Source: University World News, Issue No: 0093 20 September 2009
08 Juni 2009
US-Islamic World: Obama's Cooperation Plan
Wagdy Sawahel
US President Barack Obama has announced a plan for promoting cooperation between the US and Islamic States in higher education, science, technology and innovation in a bid to promote the development of a knowledge-based society in the Muslim world.
Obama launched the plan during his historic address, A new beginning, at the University of Cairo last Thursday: "All of us must recognise that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century and in too many Muslim communities there remains under-investment in these areas", he said. The US president called for "a new beginning between the United States and Muslims", declaring that Americans "were ready to join with citizens and governments, community organisations, religious leaders and businesses in Muslim communities to help our people pursue a better life".
Full report on the University World News site
Source: University World News, Issue No: 0079 07 June 2009
US President Barack Obama has announced a plan for promoting cooperation between the US and Islamic States in higher education, science, technology and innovation in a bid to promote the development of a knowledge-based society in the Muslim world.
Obama launched the plan during his historic address, A new beginning, at the University of Cairo last Thursday: "All of us must recognise that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century and in too many Muslim communities there remains under-investment in these areas", he said. The US president called for "a new beginning between the United States and Muslims", declaring that Americans "were ready to join with citizens and governments, community organisations, religious leaders and businesses in Muslim communities to help our people pursue a better life".
Full report on the University World News site
Source: University World News, Issue No: 0079 07 June 2009
03 April 2009
Golput: Halal atau Haram?
Muhammad Yajid Kalam
Fenomena golput terus meningkat. Kondisi ini tampaknya mulai mengkhawatirkan banyak pihak, terutama para elite politik. Tingginya angka golput melemahkan legitimasi kekuasaan yang diperoleh para elite kekuasaan politik. Fenomena ini membawa sebagian elite politik menarik sisi agama untuk berbicara tentang golput.
Menurut Konstitusi
Dalam konstitusi Indonesia, memilih dan dipilih adalah hak bukan kewajiban. Berbeda dengan konstitusi Amerika yang menempatkan memilih sebagai hak dan kewajiban. Bila memilih dan dipilih adalah hak, siapa pun bebas untuk mempergunakan ataupun melepaskan haknya tersebut. Warga negara Indonesia dijamin oleh konstitusi kebebasannya untuk mempergunakan ataupun melepaskan hak memilih itu. Bila orang memilih golput artinya ia melepaskan haknya. Melepaskan hak bukanlah kejahatan. Siapa pun yang golput dilindungi konstitusi Indonesia.
Menurut Syariat Islam
Memilih dan dipilih dalam masalah ini berkaitan dengan kepemimpinan. Islam
mengharuskan umatnya mengangkat pemimpin. Pengangkatan pemimpin adalah kewajiban (fardu) menurut syariat. Dengan demikian, bila umat Islam tidak mengangkat
pemimpin artinya mereka melanggar syariat. Namun, mengangkat pemimpin adalah fardu kifayah bukan fardu ain. Mengangkat pemimpin adalah kewajiban yang dikenakan kepada seluruh anggota komunitas masyarakat, namun cukup dilakukan sebagiannya saja. Dengan demikian, tidak memilih atau golput yang dilakukan sebagian masyarakat Indonesia tidak menjadi dosa selama ada anggota masyarakat yang lain yang melaksanakan kewajiban memilih.
Politisasi Halal-Haram
Urusan golput tidak lepas dari urusan politik. Semakin tinggi golput semakin rendah legitimasi elite politik pemegang kekuasaan hasil pemilihan. Dengan demikian, menurunkan tingkat golput adalah kepentingan politik. Bila dikaitkan dengan permintaan fatwa haram atas golput, hal ini sebenarnya merupakan politisasi agama, membuat agama sebagai alat politik. Dengan demikian, masalah sebenarnya bukan halal dan haram, namun perilaku elite politik. Bila golput disikapi elite politik dengan meminta fatwa haram, elite politik sedang berusaha menutupi masalah sebenarnya. Mereka tidak mau menyadari dan tidak mengakui kesalahannya yang membuat masyarakat kesal dan tidak memercayai mereka lagi.
Lebih lengkap baca: Pikiran Rakyat Online, 3 April 2009
Fenomena golput terus meningkat. Kondisi ini tampaknya mulai mengkhawatirkan banyak pihak, terutama para elite politik. Tingginya angka golput melemahkan legitimasi kekuasaan yang diperoleh para elite kekuasaan politik. Fenomena ini membawa sebagian elite politik menarik sisi agama untuk berbicara tentang golput.
Menurut Konstitusi
Dalam konstitusi Indonesia, memilih dan dipilih adalah hak bukan kewajiban. Berbeda dengan konstitusi Amerika yang menempatkan memilih sebagai hak dan kewajiban. Bila memilih dan dipilih adalah hak, siapa pun bebas untuk mempergunakan ataupun melepaskan haknya tersebut. Warga negara Indonesia dijamin oleh konstitusi kebebasannya untuk mempergunakan ataupun melepaskan hak memilih itu. Bila orang memilih golput artinya ia melepaskan haknya. Melepaskan hak bukanlah kejahatan. Siapa pun yang golput dilindungi konstitusi Indonesia.
Menurut Syariat Islam
Memilih dan dipilih dalam masalah ini berkaitan dengan kepemimpinan. Islam
mengharuskan umatnya mengangkat pemimpin. Pengangkatan pemimpin adalah kewajiban (fardu) menurut syariat. Dengan demikian, bila umat Islam tidak mengangkat
pemimpin artinya mereka melanggar syariat. Namun, mengangkat pemimpin adalah fardu kifayah bukan fardu ain. Mengangkat pemimpin adalah kewajiban yang dikenakan kepada seluruh anggota komunitas masyarakat, namun cukup dilakukan sebagiannya saja. Dengan demikian, tidak memilih atau golput yang dilakukan sebagian masyarakat Indonesia tidak menjadi dosa selama ada anggota masyarakat yang lain yang melaksanakan kewajiban memilih.
Politisasi Halal-Haram
Urusan golput tidak lepas dari urusan politik. Semakin tinggi golput semakin rendah legitimasi elite politik pemegang kekuasaan hasil pemilihan. Dengan demikian, menurunkan tingkat golput adalah kepentingan politik. Bila dikaitkan dengan permintaan fatwa haram atas golput, hal ini sebenarnya merupakan politisasi agama, membuat agama sebagai alat politik. Dengan demikian, masalah sebenarnya bukan halal dan haram, namun perilaku elite politik. Bila golput disikapi elite politik dengan meminta fatwa haram, elite politik sedang berusaha menutupi masalah sebenarnya. Mereka tidak mau menyadari dan tidak mengakui kesalahannya yang membuat masyarakat kesal dan tidak memercayai mereka lagi.
Lebih lengkap baca: Pikiran Rakyat Online, 3 April 2009
19 Januari 2009
Obama Raises Hopes in Higher Education
This week’s inauguration of a new American president has created widespread hope on campuses across the nation that Barack Obama will act quickly to tackle the deepening recession. Meantime, colleges and universities have been forced to act to boost their student-aid programmes to help middle-income families caught unexpectedly in the grim economic downturn.
Full report on the University World News site
Source: University World News, Issue No: 0059 18 January 2009
Full report on the University World News site
Source: University World News, Issue No: 0059 18 January 2009
12 Januari 2009
Israel-Palestine: Operation ‘Cast Lead’ Shuts Universities
Helena Flusfeder
Universities in Israel and Gaza have been caught up in the savage conflict now raging in the Palestinian territory. All five universities in Gaza have been shut down while two were closed in southern Israel. “The academic situation in Gaza is collapsing. People’s main preoccupation is to get food and stay alive. They feel that everywhere in Gaza is not safe,” said one Palestinian professor.
Full report on the University World News site
Source: University World News,Issue No: 0058 11 January 2009
Universities in Israel and Gaza have been caught up in the savage conflict now raging in the Palestinian territory. All five universities in Gaza have been shut down while two were closed in southern Israel. “The academic situation in Gaza is collapsing. People’s main preoccupation is to get food and stay alive. They feel that everywhere in Gaza is not safe,” said one Palestinian professor.
Full report on the University World News site
Source: University World News,Issue No: 0058 11 January 2009
08 November 2008
Universities and the American Election
Romulo Pinheiro
Americans will elect a new President this week. For many observers outside North America, it is astonishing to see the prominent role US universities play in the contest for the White House: this year’s four presidential debates, organised by the Commission on Presidential Debates – a non-profit organisation – were all held at local universities.
Full report on the University World News site
Source: Issue No: 0051 University World News - 02 Nov 2008
Americans will elect a new President this week. For many observers outside North America, it is astonishing to see the prominent role US universities play in the contest for the White House: this year’s four presidential debates, organised by the Commission on Presidential Debates – a non-profit organisation – were all held at local universities.
Full report on the University World News site
Source: Issue No: 0051 University World News - 02 Nov 2008
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