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SUrCIAL AsstGnMENs |
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‘Wajid Choudhury
Woes Fru Coondintor
Zain Mabummat
clearly appear to be, As evidence of this probability, we cite the pr
from a cultural background with strong. ant
Bismillah hir Rahman nir Rahim
In the name of Allan, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Islamic Center of Rochester, Inc.
727 Westfall Road
P.O, Box 23268, Rochester, New York 14692-3266
Telephone: (585) 442-0117, Fax (585) 442-9924
E_mailistamiccenterroc@gmail.com, Web Page: htip dwar theicr org
To Whom It May Concern:
Ref: Dr. Merouane Lakehal-Ayat
CC: Attomey Peter Glennon
[thas come to our attention that De, Merouane Lakehal-Ayat, a well-respected member of
our Islamic community and internationally recognized professor at St. John Fisher
College for 32 years is the subject of a possible termination of his tenure and position at
the College. We know, respect, and value Dr. Lakehal-Ayat and his family in our Islamic
community. That he now faces such prejudicial action from an institution to which he has
given so much of his professional life causes us great concern which we feel we must
address.
The context, circumstances, and the facts resulting in this over-zealous pursuit of his
termination appear retaliatory. There has been a complete denial of due process, and a
total disregard of any attempt to address any issues between the College and Dr.
Ayat with other less severe remedies not resulting in his termination. When the President
and College Provost takes the stated position in writing that any faculty member who has
acted as Dr. Lakehal-Ayat has done (not allegedly done) should not be permitted to teach
any longer, we are lefi but one conclusion. Something else is at play here. What he has
been alleged to have done clearly does not seem to any reasonable person to rise to the
level of College destroying such an outstanding academician and bringing harm to such a
well-regarded member of our community
Sadly, we are left to conclude that these actions are motivated by anti-Islamic bias and
prejudice on the part of at least some senior college administrators involved. If overt
prejudice and discrimination are not in play here, implicit bias and cultural insensiti
nee on one senior administrator
Islamic prejudice who has apparently engaged in a
number of retaliatory actions against Dr. Lakehal-Ayat. We further cite the College's (ie. the
President's) intention to originally schedule the formal hes
such an attempt was made speaks of the College’s cultural i
levels, We are confident that such a cultural/religious insens
ie he is now facing during Ramadan, T
censitivity radiating From the highest
ity would not have occurred if the
faculty member under serutiny was Christian
Given the overall tone in this Country today and the ongoing effort of some to vilify people of the
Islamie faith that an
indirect participant in
growth in the number of
tution of higher education such as St. John Fisher College would even be an
ich hysteria is deeply disappointing, In that St, John Fisher has seen recent
Jamie student, faculty, and staff, we can only image the unease they mustaus
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SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
Walid Choudhury
Woes Ham Coord
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Bismillah hir Rahman nir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Islamic Center of Rochester, Inc.
727 Westfall Road
P.O. Box 23266, Rochester, New York 14692-3266,
Telephone: (585) 442-0117, Fax (585) 442-9924
E_maiislamiccenterroc@gmail.com. Web Page: http /wiw.theic.org
ally attacks such an outstanding representative of
now be feeling as the College prejux
Islamie community.
c are very much
Be assured. we stand firmly behind Dr. Lakehal-Ayat and his family.
aware of the extreme damage that your actions have caused to him and his family. We
will lend whatever support we ean to make sure that his reputation and name are cleared.
“ae nipeobensa :
Best Regards,
‘Tabassam Javed Ph.D
President, Islamic Center of Rochester
: Dr. Merouane Lakehal-A yat
Mr.Peter Glennon
CC: SIFC President Mr.Gerry Rooney
CC: Board of Trustees President Jack DePeters