Emory University suspends Muslim religious scholar

In the video, Vaid reportedly said that Hamas is “a humanitarian organization” that “gives money to widows, sends children to school and builds hospitals.” He also reportedly said that “every single Israeli is obligated to serve” in the Israel Defense Forces and that “you are therefore a military target.”

In a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Emory said it was “aware of allegations related to deeply disturbing comments that appear to have come from an individual who provides service to the Emory community in an unpaid, at-will capacity. This individual has been suspended effective Wednesday, July 3, while an internal review is conducted.”

Vaid could not be immediately reached for comment.

Accuracy in Media said a mobile billboard will drive around the Emory campus on Wednesday, raising awareness about Vaid’s situation, a tactic the organization has used before on campuses across the country “to combat anti-Semitism.”

Emory has been embroiled in controversy over such issues since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.

Last fall, Emory placed an assistant professor on leave, citing “anti-Semitic comments” he posted on a private social media account. Emory later confirmed that the professor, a Palestinian-American physician, was no longer employed by the school, but declined to answer questions about the results of its internal investigation, which it said was a personnel matter.

In late April, 23 people, including 15 students, were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Emory’s handling of the incident sparked an outcry among some students and faculty and led to several votes of no confidence in President Gregory Fenves. The university has hired an Atlanta lawyer to review its handling of the protests.

Also this spring, civil rights groups filed a complaint in federal court accusing Emory of allowing anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab and anti-Islamic discrimination.