AMMAN Ñ Jordanian authorities have fired eight professors who
refused orders to end their support of suicide bombings against Israeli and
Western targets.
Jordanian sources the instructors, all of whom taught Islamic studies,
insisted on terming suicide-bombers as martyrs despite warnings from
university authorities. The sources said the dismissals were meant to warn
Islamists in universities to end anti-government activities.
The dismissals constituted the most drastic measure by the Hashemite
kingdom against the powerful Islamic fundamentalist movement. The movement
has urged suicide attacks against Israel and has tried to stage
anti-Israeli and anti-U.S. demonstrations.
Five of the dismissed professors came from the University of Jordan in
Amman. Two others taught in Muta University in Maan and one came from
Yarmouk University.
The Muslim Brotherhood has termed the dismissals the result of U.S.
pressure. The movement, which has tried to organize anti-U.S. and
anti-Israeli protests, said the dismissals would not intimidate
fundamentalists.
"If this is meant to punish us for our positions, it is not going to
change my stance," Ahmad Awaisheh, one of those dismissed from the
University of Jordan, said.
