The prestigious Harvard University has suspended classes and temporarily stopped admissions to its Center for Islamic Studies after a student alleged that it is an 'anti-semitic and anti-American lobby'.

The Islamic Center, part of the institute's Divinity School, had been set up with a $2.5 million donation from the son of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan.

Acting on the charges by a graduate Rachel Fish, Harvard University President Lawrence H Summers and Divinity School Dean William A Graham have promised to examine the sheikh's links.

Reacting to the charges, UAE embassy spokesman Abdullah Sahoosi said the sheikh is neither anti-Semitic nor anti-American.

However, seven faculty members, including Jon D Levenson, a professor of Jewish Studies, have agreed with Fish that the money should be returned.

The Rev Bryan Hehir, who was Dean of the Divinity School when the gift was accepted, said he "knew nothing about this institute, never heard of it until it came up a few months ago."

The Harvard Divinity School was originally founded to train Christian priests but has diversified into a very liberal institution open to all religions.

EXTERNAL LINK:
Harvard University