For reasons that AUB knows, Samir Khalaf was honored there. I have written about him here before (google the site, below left). But this tribute to Khalaf from writer Elias Khuri captured my attention: "Samir Khalaf invited Mr. Sadiq Jalal Al-Azm (whose views were rejected by the university administration then especially his book "Critique of Religious Thought" and dismissed him from his position) to the university to participate in one of the classes of Dr. Khalaf in defiance of that decision, and due to Khalaf's belief that a distinguished and successful professor should not be abandoned due to his views and stances".
Let me say this: this is a made up story (that Khalaf stood by Al-Azm). Khalaf was a bitter opponent of Al-Azm at the time. Samir Khalaf was (and is) a right-wing reactionary--which is his right--who fought against his colleague, Halim Barakat, and caused his dismissal from his position due to his left-wing politics and his staunch support of the Palestinian resistance (back in the 1960s). Please don't re-write history. I know the story from Halim. Having said that, I understand the decision by AUB to honor Khalaf: his tributes to Rafiq Hariri and Fu'ad Sanyurah are great testimony to the sociological work of the man.
Let me say this: this is a made up story (that Khalaf stood by Al-Azm). Khalaf was a bitter opponent of Al-Azm at the time. Samir Khalaf was (and is) a right-wing reactionary--which is his right--who fought against his colleague, Halim Barakat, and caused his dismissal from his position due to his left-wing politics and his staunch support of the Palestinian resistance (back in the 1960s). Please don't re-write history. I know the story from Halim. Having said that, I understand the decision by AUB to honor Khalaf: his tributes to Rafiq Hariri and Fu'ad Sanyurah are great testimony to the sociological work of the man.
