Watan-A controversy erupted on social media platforms due to the decision of a Jordanian university to expel a number of students for organizing solidarity events with the Gaza Strip.
The hashtag ‘#Expel_Applied_Science_Students’ trended on social media platforms in condemnation of the decision made by the University of Applied Sciences in this regard.
تصريح للطالب #أحمد حيدر، أحد طلاب التطبيقية الذي تم فصله فصل نهائي من الجامعة بسبب محتوى عن #المقاومة_الفلسطينية #فصل_طلاب_العلوم_التطبيقية #فصل_طلاب_التطبيقية #جنين #الشجاعيه #صهاينه_العرب #لواء_جولاني #حماس #يحيى_السنوار #ابو_عبيده #غزة #سمعتوا_الخبر #طوفان_الاقصى pic.twitter.com/XIA9iSa7y4
— وطن. يغرد خارج السرب (@watanserb_news) December 15, 2023
One of the expelled students from the university is Ahmed Haidar, who, along with his colleagues, was arbitrarily and unlawfully dismissed due to his posting informative posts on Facebook to introduce the leaders of the resistance.
Haidar stated that he was first informed of his referral to the investigation committee, where the Dean of Student Affairs contacted him and informed him that there would be an investigation committee an hour and a quarter later on that day.
In televised statements, he added that he did attend the investigation committee and discovered that there were no charges against him. When he inquired about the reason for his summons, he received no response.
He pointed out that most of the questions directed at him were related to a post on a student page that focuses on student affairs, whether entertainment, academic, general student issues, or national issues in general.
A light-hearted competition infused with the spirit of resistance
He pointed out that the post was about a light-hearted competition among the faculties, with the incorporation of a resistance theme. Leaders of the resistance were chosen for each college.
He mentioned that he received the expulsion decision on Wednesday and clarified that an investigation was also conducted with engineering student Aziz Al-Din Arefa, who was partially dismissed for two semesters.
An activist revealed that his brother was expelled from the University of Applied Sciences due to posts and activities supporting Gaza, which is facing a brutal Israeli war.
Based on the information from the mentioned account, it is likely that he is the brother of the student Aziz Al-Din mentioned by Haidar in the discussion.
Statement from the University of Applied Sciences
In response, the University of Applied Sciences issued a lengthy statement addressing the incident, stating that it was surprised by what it described as an organized media campaign launched against the university following the expulsion of two students. The expulsion was allegedly claimed to be due to their solidarity with Gaza, according to the statement.
The university added, ‘Before we begin, we clarify that Palestine and its cause, which has never been absent from the Applied Sciences University, including its administration, staff, and students over the years and across different periods, has been and will remain our primary central issue, demonstrated through actions rather than words.’
The university highlighted some of its efforts in support of Gaza, such as donating 100,000 Jordanian dinars to Gaza, organizing a solidarity stand with the sector, presenting two martyrs during the war on Gaza, and transforming the Engineering College square into a model of Al-Aqsa Mosque square.
The university’s statement stated, ‘We clarify that what has been circulated through the media about the Applied Sciences University dismissing two of its students due to a solidarity post with Gaza and its resistance is nothing but baseless defamation and mockery. How can a university, with its compass pointing to Jerusalem and Palestine, engage in such an act?’
“The statement added, ‘If it were as some claimed, that it was due to a post supporting Gaza and its resistance, the number of those expelled would have been greater because many students circulated the post claiming they were dismissed due to it, and no one was held accountable for that. Today, many members of the Applied Sciences community, including academics, administrative staff, and students, daily share dozens of posts in support of Gaza and its resistance, and the university has not spoken to any of them. Applied Sciences does not punish those who stand for truth against falsehood.’
The statement claimed that the permanently dismissed student was in the second year, not as previously mentioned in his final year. He had been summoned more than once throughout the year and informed that if he wanted to engage in any activity or speak on behalf of the students, he needed to consult the Student Affairs Deanship for approval.
The statement continued, ‘The Student Affairs Deanship found that this student did not want to comply with the university’s regulations governing student activities. The university is responsible for everything that happens inside it and must be aware of any student activity. The university did not adopt a vengeful approach but rather an approach of behavior evaluation. The decision to dismiss him will take effect from the next academic semester so that he does not lose any study hours and can transfer to any university of his choice after this semester ends.’
The statement addressed the case of the other student, stating, ‘This student is in the third year and was a member of that group. When questions were directed at him, he did not cooperate with the committee and insulted the professors who hold a position similar to that of his father. He showed clear signs of agitation and did not want to engage with the committee. After insulting his teachers, a reduced-term dismissal of two semesters was issued so that the university would not be the cause of destroying his future, given that he did not have much time left to complete his undergraduate studies. However, the university cannot allow a student to insult his professors and teachers, as no religion or upbringing accepts such behavior.'”