Another view of Tariq Ramadan …

Christian Century, Dec 28, 2004 by Bernard Roussel

I UNDERSTAND that the CENTURY is concerned with certain provisions of the Patriot Act ("Muzzling a Muslim," Nov. 2). So am I, from my own point of view; though a foreigner to the U.S., I have many ties to your country.

But I have to differ with your estimation of Tariq Ramadan. Not many people--especially those who have read Ramadan's work or heard the tapes of his lectures for Muslim centers and associations in France and Switzerland--would call him, as you do, "the most prominent Muslim intellect in French-speaking Europe." Many of Ramadan's critics have written about being disillusioned by his "double language" and dubious political strategy. I was astonished on hearing of the position he was offered at Notre Dame's Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.

Bernard Roussel

Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes,

Paris, France