Arab News reports on the start-up of the Islamic Studies program at Harvard, funded by Pr. Alwaleed bin Talal’s $20 million donation. Georgetown University, which already had a program, was able to expand it with a similar grant.
Both universities have come under criticism from those who think that because of the grants both universities will now become Saudi apologists or otherwise hide ‘the truth’ about Saudi Arabia.
Harvard Islamic Studies Program Opened
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., 10 May 2008 — Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Foundation, had endowed $20 million in 2005 to establish an Islamic Studies program at Harvard University. He was at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Thursday to inaugurate the program.
The program was named “Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Islamic Studies Program.” Roy P. Mottahedeh, professor of history in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, had been appointed director of the program.
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May:11:2008 - 09:18
It would be interesting if al-waleed were to finance an identical Islamic studies program to be carried out by Harvard University in Saudi Arabia, for Saudi students. That would give young Saudis a broader understanding of the issues associated with Islam.
May:11:2008 - 13:54
One of my greatest frustrations working in the KSA was my inability to get any Saudi university to open a department of American Studies. The UK, Germany, Russia, Japan, China, India, Latin American countries… they all have programs that seek to put the US into historical, political, cultural, and economic context. But not a single Saudi university.
I guess relying on stereotypes and the media are supposed to adequately substitute for facts.