For nearly a decade, Sami Al-Arian has denied allegations that he is a terrorist, fashioning himself as a soft-spoken professor not afraid to speak out for peaceful Muslim and Palestinian causes and American freedom.
The 45-year-old Palestinian, who has taught computer science at the University of South Florida since 1986, put it this way last year: “I did not choose to be the poster child for the debate about academic freedom in the post-Sept. 11 world. But now that I am, I’d like to remind you that all of us are being scrutinized, not just I.”
In its indictment, the Justice Department said Al-Arian was not standing up for academic freedom but for terrorism.
University officials have targeted him for dismissal, citing the alleged terrorist links and abuse of academic freedom. He was placed on leave as a security risk in late 2001 after a Fox News channel broadcast past videos in which he said “Death to Israel”; he said it was in response to the occupation of Palestinian lands.
USF President Judy Genshaft and Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Beard said they would continue their efforts.
Al-Arian was born in Kuwait. He came to the United States in 1975 as a 17-year-old college student and earned three college degrees, including a doctorate in engineering from North Carolina State University in 1985.
He has received high marks for his work at USF, winning several teaching awards and publishing more than 50 articles. He was granted tenure in 1992.
In 1996, the university first investigated allegations of his ties to terrorists. A report, sparked by the FBI inquiry, states that his professional work “appears to have been outstanding” and “entirely apolitical.”
His off-campus activities have been the issue.
About a decade ago, he helped organize a group called the Islamic Concern Project, described as a charity involved in Muslim issues. However, the indictment called it a front for Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
