The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) is surprised and outraged by an article in The Sun regarding Prof. Tariq Ramadan which is written purely on baseless allegations.

FOSIS President Wakkas Khan, speaking on behalf of Muslim students said: "Prof. Ramadan has been a source of inspiration and guidance for European Muslim youth, at a time when Muslim students are working to positively engage in all aspects of society. He is an ardent promoter of greater positive integration with western societies which Muslim students have been committed to."

Time magazine called Prof. Tariq Ramadan the leading Islamic thinker among Europe's second- and third-generation Muslim immigrants, when it included him as one of the 100 most important innovators of the 21st century.

The Sun's outrageous allegations of his links to terrorism are baseless and have been refuted repeatedly in international media. The U.S. government has failed to justify the visa revocation and faced severe criticism from the American Association of University Professors and Jewish groups such as The Jewish Law Students Society at Notre Dame and Chicago's Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. The latter went on to say, "the barring of Ramadan may represent one more horrific example of government suspicion, intimidation and exaggerated allegations against Muslims and Muslim communities."

Prof. Ramadan maintains that he was indeed banned from entering France between November 1995 and April 1996, but a reason was never given for this ban, and it was later revealed to be a case of mistaken identity. He challenged the ban and won the case in 1996. Any claim that this ban was for having "links with an Algerian Islamist" is simply untrue.

Prof. Ramadan, who International Herald Tribune calls probably Europe's best-known Muslim intellectual, is a frequent voice in international and British media. He has shared platforms with British cabinet ministers and appeared in programmes with French cabinet ministers. Thus, to call Prof. Ramadan, more dangerous than some extremist preachers who promote violence, and to accuse him of links to terrorism is simply incomprehensible to all of us. It seems that for The Sun, no Muslim is worthy of trust.

The Sun article is a disgrace to responsible journalism and only helps to create hysteria within some sections of the public about Muslims. This comes at the aftermath of the blasts in London when Muslims, especially Muslim students have been blamed, threatened and attacked for events which we explicitly condemned and have had no control over.

Prof. Ramadan was a keynote speaker at the recent FOSIS Annual Conference (30th of June- 3rd of July) where over 600 Muslim student delegates attended. His record of cross-communal relations is unparalleled and FOSIS will continue to work closely with him.

Muslim students outrage at article

The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) is surprised and outraged by an article in The Sun regarding Prof. Tariq Ramadan which is written purely on baseless allegations.

FOSIS President Wakkas Khan, speaking on behalf of Muslim students said: "Prof. Ramadan has been a source of inspiration and guidance for European Muslim youth, at a time when Muslim students are working to positively engage in all aspects of society. He is an ardent promoter of greater positive integration with western societies which Muslim students have been committed to."

Time magazine called Prof. Tariq Ramadan the leading Islamic thinker among Europe's second- and third-generation Muslim immigrants, when it included him as one of the 100 most important innovators of the 21st century.