ALA
American Library Association Conference 2009: EMIERT chair Myra Appel issues a statement regarding the cancellation of the “Perspectives on Islam" panel, while Jihad Watch founder Robert Spencer gives his take on the matter online
Raya Kuzyk -- Library Journal, 7/11/2009 2:28:00 PM
- Cancellation follows panelists’ withdrawal
- EMIERT vows to continue its mission
- Spencer contests claim of panelists’ ignorance
Neither Appel’s statement nor the earlier response from ALA President Jim Rettig address the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR-Chicago) claim that none of the panelists were informed of Spencer’s participation. But on his Jihad Watch web site, the man at the heart of this controversy, Robert Spencer, contests CAIR’s claim, publishing as evidence a month-old email from Appel informing the panelists of his involvement.
Statement from
The Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Roundtable (EMIERT) invited a panel of four speakers to present differing viewpoints on "Perspectives on Islam: Beyond the Stereotyping." On behalf of EMIERT I regret to inform you that our panel discussion will not be held Sunday, July 12th. With the withdrawal of three of the four panelists we cannot provide a fair and equitable forum to explore the diversity of opinions that the panel would have offered.
EMIERT will continue to develop and sponsor programs and publications that adhere to our core mission to 1) serve as a source of information on recommended ethnic collections, services, and programs; 2) organize task forces, institutes, and workshops; and 3) develop forums and programs that deal with key issues of ethnicity and librarianship.
We believe that the panel on "Perspectives on Islam: Beyond the Stereotyping" and other like sessions are important to the profession, and we invite members of the ALA to join with us in future discussions as we continue to explore the many issues related to cultural diversity and multiculturalism.
Click here for more ALA 2009 Conference News coverage from Library Journal and School Library Journal.
