IslamTensions over Islam find their way to U.S. campuses

University of Central Florida (UCF) professor Dr. Jonathan Matusitz is facing backlash from some groups claiming his class on terrorism and communication is based on biased view and a hatred of Islam. According to the school’s course catalog, the class aims to explain “how terrorism is a communication process. How mass media, symbols, linguistic devices, e-terrorism and theoretical dimensions play a role in terrorism. How communities respond to terrorist attacks.” Matusitz said he wants to leave students with a better understanding and an increased awareness of the role of terrorism.

Central Florida Future reported that a video recording of a Matusitz on-campus public presentation, “How Culture Shapes Terrorism,” delivered on 31 January 2013, was criticized as presenting anti-Muslim hate and bigotry. The Florida Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL), which aims to “enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding,” posted a video of Matusitz’s presentation on YouTube. “Why do so many Muslims relative to other religions want to kill us? The answer is easy. Very easy. It’s seven letters: culture,” Matusitz says in the video.

In a letter to the dean of UCF’s College of Sciences, CAIR-FL wrote, “his presentations on these subjects are full of anti-Muslim bigotry in the form of hate speech, inaccuracies, sweeping generalizations and stereotypes that would mislead students to believe that all Islamic societies are nothing more than violent, hate-filled terrorist factories …”

Matusitz has responded by saying that claims about his hatred toward Islam are false. “I have nothing against Muslims. I have a problem with Muslims who want to impose radical Islam and Shariah on our lens. So the problem is not the average Muslim,” he once said.

Representatives of the Muslim Student Association at UCF continue to protest Matusitz’s teachings, insisting that UCF perform a review of the class. Instead, UCF officials continue to voice support for Matusitz’s work on campus. “Dr. Matusitz is expressing his opinion, which is his right. He is not speaking on behalf of the university and we do not endorse his views,” an official UCF statement read. “One of the university’s five goals has been to ‘become more inclusive and diverse,’” said UCF spokesman Grant Heston. “However, freedom of expression is fundamental to a university’s mission, even when we disagree with it.”

Another protest against speakers who, some believe, share anti-Islamic sentiment occurred last week when some students at the University of California-Berkeley began to protest the university’s selection of television personality Bill Maher as the mid-year commencement speaker on 20 December. The Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian Coalition at UC Berkeley launched an online petition to withdraw the invitation, describing Maher’s comments on Islam as racist, divisive, and offensive to many students. UC Berkeley should not “invite an individual who himself perpetuates a dangerous learning environment,” the petition said in part.

Citing Maher’s right to free speech, UC Berkeley chancellor Nicholas B. Dirks has said that “the invitation will stand, and (I look) forward to welcoming Mr. Maher to the Berkeley campus.” The university’s decision is not meant to signal an endorsement of Maher’s views, “but this university has not in the past and will not in the future shy away from hosting speakers who some deem provocative,” an official university statement read.