2023-10-20 A. Kayum Ahmed Incidents

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Metadata

  • When: 2023-10-20

  • Where: CUIMC

  • Who: A. Kayum Ahmed

  • Organizations:

  • Tags:

Description

Additional evidence: folder

On Oct. 17, 2023, a student at the Mailman School of Public Health reported to Hillel a lecture in which Professor Abdul Kayum Ahmed brought in two panels (morning and afternoon) of individuals who made highly antisemitic remarks. See email here. Quotes include:

  • "impossible to work with the zionists because they advocate for supremacy"

  • "What we are trying to do is an antithetical to zionism"

  • In response to a student asking if you find value in negotiating with pro Israel supporters, the panel answered: "Can't negotiate with someone who sees your humanity as less than yours (in reference to zionists)"

He also hosted a “conversation with public health workers in Palestine and the US,” titled “On PALESTINE: EPISTEMIC COLONIALITY and the UNIVERSITY.” The poster featured an image of the totality of Israel covered in flowers, implying that all of Israel is Palestine. See poster

On Oct. 23, 2023 the Columbia Chapter of AAUP, an organization accused of anti-Israel bias, wrote a letter [saved copy] in support of A. Kayum Ahmen.

On Dec. 13, 2023, a “public health Jewish meeting” was held to discuss an administrative response. Some instructors have said they will not teach in the core if he teaches next year. It is believed to be still under investigation.

On Mar. 27, 2024 A.  Kayum Ahmed circulated a statement (part1, part2) informing that Columbia banned him from teaching. A petition form [saved copy] addressed to Linda P. Fried, Dean of the Mailman School of Public Health, demanding that he be reinstated.

Media

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