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Portrait of Sami Al-Arian

Sami Al-Arian

Defiant Voice for Civil Rights

Born
14 January 1958
Born in
Kuwait
Read Sami’s story2 videosAsk about Sami

Why Sami is here

Championing Palestinian Civil Liberties and Academic Freedom

Their story

Sami Al-Arian, born in Kuwait in 1958 to a Palestinian family, was a professor of computer engineering at the University of South Florida and a prominent Muslim civil rights activist, once invited to the White House.

After September 11 he was charged under the Patriot Act; in 2005 a jury acquitted him on eight counts and deadlocked on the rest. He later took a plea deal, and in 2015 was deported to Turkey, where he directs a centre for Islam and global affairs in Istanbul.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Sami’s path.

  1. Academic Tenure

    Formerly a computer engineering professor at the University of South Florida, where he received numerous accolades for his teaching.

  2. Legal Struggle

    Faced a high-profile legal battle beginning in 2003, when he was accused of supporting terrorism due to his political activism; he was acquitted of the most serious charges.

  3. Public Advocacy

    Prominent advocate against the use of secret evidence in trials and for the rights of Muslim Americans.

  4. Deportation

    After a protracted legal struggle, Al-Arian was deported from the U.S. in 2015, ending a significant chapter in his life that involved fighting for his legal rights and civil liberties.

  5. Continued Advocacy

    Currently, he serves as the Director of the Center for Islam and Global Affairs at Istanbul Zaim University and remains an active commentator on Middle Eastern politics.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Advocacy Against Secret Evidence

    Al-Arian was a leading figure in campaigning against the use of secret evidence in U.S. courts, significantly impacting the debate on civil rights in the post-9/11 era.

    Watch

  2. Promotion of Civil Liberties

    His case brought international attention to the challenges facing civil liberties in the United States, especially concerning ethnic and religious minorities.

  3. Academic Contributions

    Contributed significantly to the academic community through his teachings and writings, particularly on computer engineering and Middle Eastern politics.

  4. Public Speaking and Writing

    A prolific speaker and writer, Al-Arian has contributed to numerous forums and publications discussing the Palestinian cause and broader Middle Eastern issues.

    Watch

  5. Cultural and Educational Impact

    Through his roles at various educational institutions and his public advocacy, Al-Arian has influenced both policy and public opinion regarding Middle Eastern affairs and the rights of Palestinian people.

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Watch & listen

Sami in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Advocacy Against Secret Evidence↗

  • 02Public Speaking and Writing↗

Further reading

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