Northwestern University’s Controversial Funding and Qatar Connection

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Northwestern University has found itself under intense scrutiny due to its substantial financial ties with Qatar, a country with controversial affiliations and support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. A recent report from nonprofit watchdog Open the Books reveals that Northwestern has received nearly $690 million from Qatar since 2007. This revelation comes as Northwestern President Michael Schill prepares to testify before the House Education and Workforce Committee, addressing concerns over campus antisemitism and concessions made to certain student demands.

 

Qatar’s donations to Northwestern primarily benefit the university’s satellite campus in Education City, Doha, known as NU-Q. This campus offers bachelor’s degrees in journalism and communication and maintains a significant partnership with Al Jazeera, the Qatari state-owned media outlet. The collaboration between NU-Q and Al Jazeera provides journalism students with opportunities to engage with leading media professionals and gain industry insights. However, this partnership has drawn criticism due to Al Jazeera’s alleged support for Palestinian terrorism and its portrayal of Israel.

 

Several faculty members at Northwestern in Qatar have made statements or have ties that have further fueled controversy. 

 

• Khaled AL-Hroub, a professor of Middle Eastern studies, claimed on an NPR program that he had not seen credible reports indicating that Hamas killed women and children in its October 7 attack. While Northwestern initially condemned his remarks, the university later revised its statement, removing his name and clarifying that his views did not represent the institution’s official position.
• Rami Khouri, a member of NU-Q’s joint advisory board, has defended Palestinian stabbing attacks against Israeli civilians and characterized Hamas tactics as part of the human spirit’s arsenal. He has also made controversial comparisons between Hamas’s actions and historical Jewish resistance.
• Ibrahim Abusharif, another professor, has a past that includes serving as treasurer for the Quranic Literacy Institute, which the U.S. government accused of funneling money to Hamas. The organization was found liable for aiding and abetting Hamas terrorism and had assets seized by the U.S. government.

 

The House Education and Workforce Committee has expressed concerns about Northwestern’s partnership with Al Jazeera. A group of Jewish Northwestern alumni and parents wrote to the university's board of trustees, suggesting that the partnership could violate the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1952, which prohibits American entities from providing training or assistance to foreign terrorist organizations. This issue is likely to be a key topic during President Schill’s testimony.

 

In addition to funding from Qatar, Northwestern has received substantial financial support from other sources, including:

 

• Saudi Arabia: Approximately $24 million, with at least $2.2 million for Saudi student tuition.
• U.S. Government: Since 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services has contributed $2.6 billion, while other significant contributions include $361 million from the National Science Foundation, $256 million from the Department of Defense, $136 million from the Department of Education, and $125 million from the Department of Energy.

 

From 2018 to 2022, Northwestern’s endowment grew by $3.3 billion, making it the eighth-largest among private American universities. Despite its significant financial growth, the university pays only a 1.4-percent tax on endowment amounts exceeding $500,000 per student.

 

The significant financial support from Qatar to Northwestern University raises critical ethical and legal questions, especially given Qatar's associations with Hamas. As Northwestern continues to expand its global footprint, particularly through its campus in Qatar, it faces growing scrutiny from both government bodies and concerned stakeholders over the implications of these financial relationships. The upcoming testimony of President Schill will be a pivotal moment in addressing these concerns and determining the future direction of the university’s international engagements.

 

 

Credit: National Review 2024-05-25

 

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[koolkarl]

Oil money from Qatar at work again to spread more hate propaganda against Israel.  Hope it is stopped permanently.  Qatar also owns

Al jazeera and there, they bought  many journalists from BBC with their oil money; trying to buy respectability.  These BBC journalists are traitors

and will certainly regret their decision one day, after all they are infidels.