Dear Professor Williams,

We, the undersigned, are writing to formally petition the University Administration for the urgent reinstatement of BA Islamic Studies Major and Minor in the Islamic Studies program. We urge the administration to reconsider the decision to retire this program, as its loss reduces the intellectual diversity, student-focus, community-orientedness, relevance, and academic standing of WSU. 

The study of Islam and Muslim societies is foundational to understanding the complexities of Islamic history, culture, and contemporary socio-cultural, economic and political issues. In a rapidly changing world, WSU has a responsibility to equip students with the critical skills needed to engage with Islam’s belief system, ethical framework, moral principles, and legal code. A university without a dedicated focus on Islam and Muslim societies risks neglecting a crucial aspect of religio-cultural literacy. 

Furthermore, we believe this decision undermines the university’s commitment to a holistic education. The academic study of Islam provides:

·  Essential Analytical Skills - promoting understanding of Islam as dynamic, internally diverse, and evolving system,

·  Critical Thinking - encouraging students to explore ethical, philosophical, and sociological questions that are vital in navigating modern globalised society, and 

·  Global Citizenship - offering a framework for understanding about Islam’s past and present, as well as fostering a more respectful, inclusive university.

We understand that Australian universities are under financial pressures. However, we believe that withdrawing the scholarly examination of Islam and Muslim societies is a poor judgment and management error especially when WSU sits in the very centre of Australia’s largest Muslim population. The loss of Islamic Studies program significantly impacts students’ research standing and diminishes the diversity of WSU humanities offering. We request that the administration engage in a transparent dialogue with students and staff to find sustainable solutions to keep this essential discipline alive. 

We ask that you, as Vice-Chancellor, uphold the spirit of academic inquiry and the sanctity of academic freedom by reversing this decision and restoring the Islamic Studies program at WSU. 

Thank you for your time and for considering the voice of your community.

Sincerely,
Mohamad Younes
On behalf of concerned Sydney citizens