The Ibn Haldun University Department of Sociology hosted Prof. Siraj Ahmad from the City University of New York. In his talk, Prof. Ahmad provided a comprehensive analysis of the impact of contemporary global politics on Western academia. He specifically highlighted how the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, alongside Israel’s ongoing operations in Lebanon and Palestine, have shaped the landscape of academic freedom and expression within Western universities.
The talk highlighted the prevalence of pro-Israel sentiments within Western academia and how this can constrain the expression of alternative perspectives, leading to various forms of institutional and social pressure on academics and students.
Focusing on the United States, Prof. Ahmad emphasized how political polarization directly affects university environments. He noted that academic expression tends to be relatively freer in areas dominated by Democrats, whereas in regions with strong support for Trump, scholars may face greater pressure. He also underlined that academic rank or institutional position does not necessarily protect individuals from such pressures.
The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, fostering insightful discussions on academic freedom, politics, and ethical responsibility in academia.
