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Holy Week resources and reflections

Muslim scholar makes first U.S. appearance after ban is lifted

(RNS) Tariq Ramadan made his first public appearance in the United States on April 8 since the U.S. State Department barred entry to the controversial scholar and Islamic activist in 2004.

Ramadan’s appearance on a panel in New York on “Islam in the West” reflects recent U.S. efforts to build bridges with Muslims and ends a long odyssey for Ramadan, who teaches at the University of Oxford.

Ramadan, on a five-day visit, is the grandson of Hasan Al-Banna, who founded the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

But the Swiss-born Ramadan is popular among Muslims who appreciate his message about the compatibility of Islam and democracy. He has also criticized American policies in Iraq and Palestine, however, garnering enemies who say his moderate talk is a smokescreen for radical ambitions.

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