Academic Freedom
Academic freedom in the Arab world has been increasingly undermined and strained. Individually and collectively, the freedom to access, create and share knowledge to serve communities through research, documentation, discussion and creativity faces the challenges of censorship and heavy state interference.
Academic freedom doesn’t sit alone in societies but is part of the broader freedoms of expression exercised by artists, journalists, writers, and the public at large. Al-Fanar Media believes in the importance of researchers’ and academics’ personal autonomy and independence, as well as the significance of free speech and critical debate. We report on infringements of academic freedom in the Middle East and North Africa, the interference in the management of higher education institutions, the arrests of researchers, university staff and students. We also cover the efforts that governments and institutions are doing to preserve the right to academic freedom.
We hope through our articles to keep the discussion around academic freedom in the MENA region alive, to contribute to the reduction of censorship in higher education institutions and research.
Below are a series of articles and stories around the subject of academic freedom in the Arab world.
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Opinion
With Mass Arrests, Saudi Arabia Silences Independent Voices
The detainees include scholars, preachers and public intellectuals from across the ideological spectrum.
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Opinion
Can Arab Artists Survive?
A symposium at the British museum explored how Arab artists are coping as the room they have for expressing themselves…
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Opinion
Some Gains, Many Sacrifices: Women’s Rights in Tunisia
Since the country’s independence, the position of women has been a point of both pride and controversy.
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Opinion
In Egypt, Harsh Measures Against Academic Freedom Persist
A prominent group of human rights lawyers reports on severe restrictions on academic freedom in the first quarter of 2017.
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Opinion
With the Pope in Egypt, Debate on Al-Azhar’s Role
In the wake of Coptic church bombings, educators are reflecting on what role universities, including Al-Azhar, the beacon of Sunni…
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News & Reports
Arab Protests Move Back to the Streets From Social Media
The American University of Beirut’s City Debates conference reflects a growing conflict between city gentrification and citizens’ needs.
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Opinion
Egyptian Universities Abuse Disciplinary Codes to Squeeze Student Freedoms
Egyptian universities are meting out punishments that far outweigh student infractions in an apparent attempt to keep a tight lid…
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Opinion
UAE Jails Economist: The Silence is Deafening
A court has sentenced economist and human rights advocate, Nasser Bin Ghaith, to ten years in jail over his Tweets.…
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News & Reports
Women and Islam: A Topic that Troubles
Hatoon al Fassi, a Saudi scholar, has provoked controversy in Qatar for arguing that the Koran, correctly interpreted, supports the…
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Academic Freedom in Egypt Needs More Vocal Support
A writer calls for a unified approach to support academic freedom in Egypt.
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