Egyptians were expecting Mr. Bakkar to announce his enrolment at the University of Kabul in Afghanistan, and if not, then perhaps the University of Mogadishu in Somalia, Medina in Saudi Arabia, or Taiz University in Yemen. His admission to Harvard came as quite a shock, mainly because he is not qualified to fulfil the University’s requirements and terms of admission. Moreover, his discriminatory and offensive attitude towards non-Muslims, women, Jews and Christians reflects badly on Harvard, and the prestigious university is likely to come under fire, or perhaps face legal challenge as these facts become known.
Bakkar has made highly discriminatory statements against women, attacking their ability to lead and asserting that “people who have female leaders would never do well”, while bemoaning the fact that there are female Parliament members, which he describes as a “perversion”. As seen here, these statements reveal a prejudiced mindset that demeans women and would gladly see them stripped of their rights.
Mr. Bakkar has also slapped Christians and Jews with the label of “infidels”, fully aware that this dangerous label sets them up as legitimate targets, to be punished by death and eternal damnation according to Islam. Such talkshould not be taken lightly as it reinforces the attitudes prevalent in ISIL and other terrorist organizations that go after non-Muslims with lethal intent.
Bakkar’s attitude towards Christians is not amiable to say the least, refusing to wish them well at Christmas as this would be in violation of his beliefs, and clearly showing his disdain of Christians leaders when he, along with his party’s members, refused to observe a minute's silence in the Egyptian People’s Assembly following the death of late Pope Shenouda.
Here are some of the appalling beliefs held by Bakkar and al-Nour party: Jews are supposedly the descendants of apes and pigs, and engaging them in battle is considered a religious duty. Young girls, as young as three years old, can be legitimately married. Muslim men have the right to buy slaves, acquire and have sexual relations with as many women as they want outside of marriage. Women should be beaten and rejected sexually as a punishment. The lightest contact with a woman invalidates prayer, much as coming in contact with a donkey or a black dog!!
They believe that they are religiously bound to take advantage of any and all means to demonstrate their abhorrence of Jews and Christians. Meanwhile they have predictably refused to discredit or condemn ISIL.
Sheikh Yasser Berhamy, spiritual leader of al-Nour Party and of Mr. Bakkar, has described Egypt’s Christians as an enslaved criminal minority of aggressors and unjust infidels.
Women were also victims of Berhamy’s hate speech, as the extremely prejudiced spiritual leader, who obviously perceives women to be evil and subhuman, made a claim that “women, donkeys and black dogs invalidate prayers”. When asked why black dogs in specific, he confidently replied that the black one is inhabited by the devil!
The spiritual leader’s fatwas and advice are simply horrific: sexual intercourse with young girls, even as young as 3 years old should be allowed. Muslim men are forbidden from loving their Christian or Jewish wives, but they can enjoy their bodies as much as they want, and this is the only reason they should take them as wives.
Taking all of the above into account, it is only reasonable to question Harvard’s decision to admit Bakkar into its MPA program. Were the terms of admission overlooked or the rules bent as a result of political pressure? If that is the case, then the University’s independence has been compromised. Did Saudi donations and funds raised by extremist Islamic countries play a role in that decision? If that is true, then rules were sacrificed for the sake of money and corruption has found its way into the University. Is Harvard aware of the extremely prejudiced attitudes of Bakkar and the party he speaks for? If so, then the University is culpable of promoting discrimination.
Harvard University has to make a quick decision regarding the presence of Mr. Bakkar among its students; otherwise, it may be held accountable and legally challenged by human rights agencies and victims of Bakkar’s discrimination.
Meanwhile, all who are concerned with this issue will be waiting for Harvard’s response to the questions raised above.
Magdi Khalil is a president of Middle East Freedom Forum-Cairo-Washington