Carleton hosted “The Contemporary Awakening and Imam Khomeini’s Thoughts,” hosted by the Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian Cultural Association of Carleton University June 2, according to Carleton’s website.
“The conference was about Imam Khomeini, several dimensions of his thoughts and his legacy, Islamic Awakening as well as Islamic Governance,” said the president of the Iranian Culture Association of Carleton University, Ehsan Mohammadi.
Khomeini was the leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979 and acted as the Supreme Leader of the country, according to Mohammadi.
Speeches by panelists, including academics and Islamic leaders, were followed by a question-and-answer session.
Maclean’s criticized part of the talk for misrepresenting Khomeini’s views on women’s equality.
The conference drew criticism for advancing Iranian government propaganda. Ten Iranian-Canadian academics wrote a letter to Carleton president Roseann Runte to express their discontent.
The letter criticizes the university for “providing forum to individuals, who under the pretext of academic freedom, propagate the ideas and values of a regime that is known for its violation of all standards of academic freedom and rights, is far from promoting academic debates.”
It states that the conference held no academic value and did not give an objective analysis of Khomeini’s thoughts and specifically their outcome.
“Celebrating this legacy through a conference without the balancing presence of any known Iran experts with differing views is not something in which any reputable academic institution can take pride,” wrote the letter’s signatories.
In response Mohammadi said, “This academic conference was an effort to promote a better understanding among the participants through dialogue. This conference had a scientific approach to the topic. The conference was free and open to the public.”
Carleton’s media relations coordinator Chris Cline said Carleton, like all other Canadian universities, encourages a culture of free expression and hosts many events on campus each year.
Both Cline and Mohammadi said because Carleton is home to 160 clubs and associations, it is inevitable that students will discuss controversial issues and engage in respectful debate.
“As a student leader at Carleton University, I strongly believe in dialogue. I believe that in the absence of dialogue, there will be no progress and achievement,” said Mohammadi.
