This article is inspired by “Expose on Glaring Bias Against Hindus: Georgetown University’s Bridge Initiative” by Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies (CIHS)
Academic institutions play a pivotal role in shaping societal understanding of complex issues. Through research, education, and publications, they contribute significantly to formulating important socio-political ideas and perspectives, fostering critical discussions that impact public discourse. Their role extends beyond imparting knowledge, influencing the collective narrative, and shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape.
However, throughout history, there have been instances of agenda-driven entities attempting to influence or infiltrate academic institutions. [1] Various ideologies, political groups, and interest-driven organizations have sought to shape academic narratives to further their agendas. These attempts can manifest through funding, partnerships, or the placement of sympathetic individuals within educational institutions.
Over the past two decades, particularly following the tragic events of 9/11, there seems to be a concerted effort by Islamist organizations to embed friendly assets and back researchers sympathetic to their cause in leading Western universities.
Over the past two decades, particularly following the tragic events of 9/11, there seems to be a concerted effort by Islamist organizations to embed friendly assets and back researchers sympathetic to their cause in leading Western universities. This aims to shape a supportive narrative and counteract the anti-Islamic discourse fueled by various jihadist activities worldwide.
The Bridge Initiative at Georgetown University is a case in point. In November 2023, this organization, in collaboration with the UK’s Community Policy Forum, an entity claiming to protect Muslim interests in the UK, published a report titled ‘Hindutva in Britain.’ The report [2] aimed to falsely implicate Hindus and Hindu-centric organizations for anti-India, anti-Hindu unrest in Leicester, UK. This narrative, debunked by leading UK-based independent think tanks, including the Henry Jackson Society [3] and the US-based National Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) [4] raises serious questions about the veracity of the Bridge Initiative’s research and the potential perpetuation of biases.
This report is part of a larger context involving a series of publications by the Bridge Initiative, such as the controversial claim of an ongoing “Muslim Genocide” in India. These publications have faced extensive criticism for their agenda-driven bias against the Hindu faith, heritage, and culture. The inaccurate portrayal of Hindu-centric organizations, particularly within the American Hindu community in the United States, has triggered debates and legal consequences for the Bridge Initiative.
The Bridge Project
Housed at Georgetown University, the Bridge Initiative is a research project on Islamophobia. Established in 1993 through a partnership between “Fondation pour l’Entente entre Chrétiens et Musulmans” in Geneva and Georgetown University, this project initially aimed at enhancing mutual understanding between the Muslim world and the West. [5] Spearheaded by Hasib Sabbagh, a Palestinian contractor and philanthropist, the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (CMCU) later became the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU) in 2006.
The [Bridge] initiative has been accused of spreading misinformation and biases, particularly regarding Hindutva organizations and the Hindu faith, and faced scrutiny for its consistent bias against Hindus, blurring lines between Islamophobia and Islamo-fascism.
However, recent developments cast a shadow on the Bridge Initiative’s commitment to unbiased research and its mission to promote understanding and dialogue. The initiative has been accused of spreading misinformation and biases, particularly regarding Hindutva organizations and the Hindu faith, and faced scrutiny for its consistent bias against Hindus, blurring lines between Islamophobia and Islamo-fascism.
Concerns also arise from the initiative’s practices of selectively profiling individuals and organizations, often disseminating biased content labeled as meticulously researched “factsheets.” The association with Islamic apologists like John Esposito [6] and Arsalan Iftikhar [7], along with seed funding from Alwaleed Bin Talal, a Saudi billionaire, in 2008, raises questions about the institute’s impartiality and potential role in suppressing diverse perspectives.
In 2021, the Bridge Initiative published a flawed “Fact Sheet” concerning the world’s largest Hindu-centric people’s movement, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) [8]. The factsheet falsely implicated several American Hindu organizations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), and Hindu American Foundation (HAF), calling them promoters of Islamophobia. HAF strongly refuted the allegations, filing a lawsuit [9] against the Bridge Initiative, highlighting significant issues related to research accuracy and the duty of academic institutions, especially traditionally established ones like Georgetown University, in the publication of such materials.
Despite ongoing criticism for lack of academic rigor and institutional bias, the Bridge Initiative continues to publish factsheets on global Hindu-centric organizations, blurring distinctions between Islamophobia and Islamo-fascism.
In another example, the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and other groups tried to label India as a “Country of Particular Concern” [10] using malicious and unsubstantiated allegations of ongoing persecution of minorities. The IAMC, associated with extremist elements and US-proscribed terrorist organizations [11], further fueled controversy by its members making derogatory comments about Hindu leaders. The Bridge Initiative’s role in promulgating these malevolent narratives, as highlighted in its publications, raises significant questions about the research methods employed, the accuracy of information presented, and the potential for perpetuating biases under the guise of academic research.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution in the United States, was founded in 1789 to champion intellectual rigor, social justice, and ethical leadership. However, as societal norms evolved, the university has grappled with reconciling traditional teachings with modern understandings of diversity, equality, and human rights.
The institution’s early connection to slavery and segregation, notably the sale of slaves in 1838 [12] to alleviate financial strain, underscores a checkered past. Racial integration began in the 1950s, influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, and Georgetown has since navigated contemporary challenges, from debates on affirmative action to protests advocating for racial justice. However, recent incidents, such as the hate crime in 2022 and controversies surrounding free expression, indicate that Georgetown has a long road ahead in fostering inclusivity.
The Bridge Initiative’s Hinduphobia stance poses a unique challenge to Georgetown’s commitment to fostering respect and dialogue among diverse religious and cultural communities. The university’s response to these challenges will play a crucial role in shaping its reputation as an institution dedicated to ethical reflection, social justice, and scholarly standards. Georgetown finds itself at a critical juncture, tasked with navigating the delicate balance between its historical Jesuit ethos and the potential influence of substantial Middle Eastern funding. Reaffirming its commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment becomes paramount as the university addresses the complexities arising from external partnerships and strives to uphold its core values in the face of emerging challenges.
What is at Stake?
- The Bridge Initiative at Georgetown University, aimed at combating Islamophobia, is embroiled in controversy for spreading biased and wrong information about Hindu communities. This raises serious concerns about how academic institutions keep their research honest and fair.
- Ongoing accusations against Hindus and Hindutva groups in the US hint at a system embedded in certain academic institutions that might spread wrong information. This system could use biased research to push specific ideas instead of being objective.
- The Bridge Initiative gets its main funding from people like Alwaleed Bin Talal, a Saudi businessman who has faced corruption charges and detention in Saudi Arabia. This connection, along with supporters like Arsalan Iftikhar having anti-Semitic views, raises questions about the influence of these connections on the fairness of its work, especially concerning Hindus.
- The Bridge Initiative’s actions go beyond academics, especially its propagation of Hinduphobia, with serious implications involving the potential for real-world threats and hate crimes against Hindus.
- Georgetown University faces a test in balancing its Jesuit heritage with modern principles like diversity. The controversy around the Bridge Initiative challenges the university to maintain academic excellence while navigating conflicting ideals.
The situation at Georgetown University and the Bridge Initiative puts the spotlight on the role of academic institutions in shaping societal views. The widespread infiltration of Islamist organizations in prominent Western universities, supported with sovereign Islamic resources, raises the specter of agenda-driven research and Islamo-fascist narrative building to a much higher level. The universities must face these challenges while upholding the fundamental tenets of academic freedom and rigorous scholarship, making sure that research on controversial topics is done with respect for facts, objectivity, and different perspectives.
Citations
[1] How Politics Affects Education in the United States (ewa.org); https://ewa.org/news-explainers/how-politics-affects-education
[2] Bridge Initiative Team, ‘Hindutva in Britain’ (Bridge Initiative, 24 November 2023); https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/hindutva-in-britain/
[3] Lakhani R and others, ‘Hindu-Muslim Civil Unrest in Leicester: “Hindutva” and the Creation of a False Narrative’ (Henry Jackson Society, 5 June
2023); https://henryjacksonsociety.org/event/hindu-muslim-civil-unrest-in-leicester-the-impact-of-a-micro-community-cohesion-breakdown-falsely-attributed-to-organised-hindutva-extremism/
[4] Sudhakar P, Mughal F and Goldenberg A, ‘11/16/22 – Cyber Social Swarming Precedes Real World Riots in Leicester: How Social Media Became a Weapon for Violence’ (Network Contagion Research Institute, 16 November 2022); https://networkcontagion.us/reports/11-16-22-cyber-social-swarming-precedes-real-world-riots-in-leicester-how-social-media-became-a-weapon-for-violence/
[5] ESPOSITO, JOHN L. “The Prince Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding.” Islamic Studies, vol. 45, no. 1, 2006, pp. 121-28. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20839004
[6] Caschetta, A.J. (2023) Georgetownís John Esposito, part 1: A terroristís best friend, Georgetownís John Esposito, Part 1: A Terroristís Best Friend.
Available at: https://www.meforum.org/campus-watch/64607/georgetown-john-esposito-part-1-a-terrorist-best
[7] Stelter, Brian, and Kludt, Tom. “MSNBC shuns guest who made racially charged remark about Jindal.” CNNMoney, 20 January 2015, https://money.cnn.com/2015/01/20/media/msnbc-arsalan-iftikhar-bobby-jindal/index.html
[8] Factsheet: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS); https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-rashtriya-swayamsevak-sangh-rss/
[9] HAF responds to Bridge Initiative accusations of Islamophobia; https://www.hinduamerican.org/press/bridge-initiative-georgetown-response-letter
[10] Jha, Prashant. “US panel asks State Department to declare India a country of particular concern.” Hindustan Times, 3 May 2023, 04:38 AM IST;
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/us-commission-urges-india-be-categorised-as-country-of-particular-concern-for-religious-freedom-violations-101683053901304.html
[11] Gupta, Manoj. “Anti-India Lobbying, Pak Terror Links: US Body on Intíl Religious Freedom’s Relentless Efforts to Spoil India’s Image.” CNN-
News18, 25 April 2022; https://www.news18.com/news/world/anti-india-lobbying-pak-terror-links-us-body-on-intl-religious-freedoms-relentless-efforts-to-spoil-indias-image-5049391.html
[12] The Catholic Church profited from slavery (2023), NPR; https://www.npr.org/2023/06/13/1181767635/the-272-catholic-church-rachel-swarns-slavery-georgetown