(IPT) An Indiana University (IU) dean admits its School of Philanthropy “failed in our due diligence” when it invited deported Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) board member Sami Al-Arian to participate in a program about the war on terrorism and its impact on Muslim charities.
The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) reported on the panel discussion Dec. 20, detailing Al-Arian’s prominent history of PIJ involvement and his antisemitic speech, prompting readers to complain to IU President Pamela Whitten. Amir Pasic, dean of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, wrote back to apologize.
“Though he had been recommended to those developing this session due to his academic work and recent efforts organizing a global conference on Islamophobia,” Pasic wrote, “we failed in our due diligence to consider his past comments and actions prior to extending an invitation to him. As a result, we have further strengthened our protocols.”
