A SCOTTISH university has been challenged over its “cancel culture” after it cancelled a planned talk at the last minute by a distinguished Palestinian environmentalist.
Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh, founder and director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability and the Palestine Museum of Natural History at Bethlehem University, had been scheduled to speak at the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) in Inverness on November 21.
He had agreed to lecture on “Sustainability and Biodiversity Preservation in Developing Countries”.
A personal meeting had also been arranged with interim deputy principal Professor Brian Williams.
However, after making arrangements, including booking a lecture theatre, UHI reneged on its agreement.
The university reportedly sent a one-line email stating: “Unfortunately we are not able to host Dr Mazim Qumsiyeh at this time.”
Derek Newton, founder of Highland – Palestine, said: “It’s really baffling, disappointing, and very disrespectful to Professor Qumsiyeh, who, as lead author of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the State of Palestine (2022), is eminently qualified to speak at the UHI.
“It would have been a privilege for the UHI to host him as a guest speaker. It reflects badly on the university to behave in this way.
“Prof Qumsiyeh is a distinguished scientist and author who served on three university faculties in the USA, including Yale.
“He is a highly regarded geneticist who was involved in breast cancer research.
“So far the UHI hasn’t had the courtesy to offer any kind of explanation.”
It is the second time UHI has cancelled an event with a Palestinian link at the last minute.
In February, an exhibition including work by Palestinian artist Feda’a Al-Hassanet at UHI’s Moray Art Gallery in Elgin was cancelled with only a week’s notice, suggesting it would appear “partisan”.
Newton said Qumsiyeh and his wife would be presenting a talk at the Merkinch Community Centre in Inverness at 7.00pm on November 21 as part of a five-venue speaking tour in the Highlands.
Qumsiyeh’s speaking tour of the UK and Ireland begins on November 11. He will be in the Highlands from November 18 to 24.
The University of Highlands and Islands has been contacted for comment.
For more information, click here.
