Associated Press: Muslim scholar once denied visas to US to include Illinois on list of speaking engagements

abridged CHICAGO (AP) — A prominent Muslim scholar who was once denied a U.S. visa is scheduled to give one of his first major speeches since the 2004 ban this weekend in suburban Chicago.

Tariq Ramadan (TAR'-ek RAH'-mah-dhan), a Swiss citizen, teaches at Oxford University in England.

His U.S. visa was revoked as he was about to take a University of Notre Dame job.

Ramadan was accused of funding terrorism, an allegation which he denies. The decision barring Ramadan's entrance into the U.S. was reversed earlier this year.

Ramadan says he promotes peace and he's vocally opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

[He is] scheduled to speak Saturday in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., at an event sponsored by the Council of American-Islamic Relations.

copyright 2010 Associated Press

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