Bradford University Message re. the Bassam Aramin Scholarship Fund

[DonnaBW]

The Bassam Aramin Scholarship Fund

11 August 2008

Dear Supporter,

Thank you for your generosity and interest in working to ensure that
Basssam Aramin will be able to undertake a Master’s degree at the
Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford in the UK.
It is inspiring to see what an extensive international network has
emerged to support Bassam and his family (who will reside with Bassam
in the UK for the one-year duration of his course.)

This note is to inform all supporters and friends that for a variety
of reasons, Bassam has had to defer his studies for a year, until
September 2009. The principal difficulty is that the legal case
brought about by the killing of his daughter, Abir, is now being
appealed to the Israeli High Court. Those of his family who witnessed
what happened are required to undergo a doctor's examination in the
month ahead. Their family feels the case will be stronger if they
remain close to home for now.

Although Bassam would very much like to have commenced his studies
next month, this is a trying period for the entire Aramin family and
not at all the right conditions for moving the family to the UK, let
alone undertaking MA-level studies. The Department of Peace Studies
has confirmed that Bassam is entirely welcome to defer the start of
his course until 2009.

On a positive note, this gives everyone enough time to make
preparations for Bassam, his wife and children, allowing them time to
complete the UK visa application process, all begin studying English,
then move to Bradford, find a flat, and settle in during the summer of
2009.

If you have made a donation to the Bassam Aramin scholarship fund at
the University of Bradford (Fund D9126), please be assured that the
money will remain secure in the scholarship account held by the
University of Bradford; and upon Bassam’s arrival at the university in
2009, the fund will be administered by the university. The university
does not deduct administrative or any other charges against
scholarship funds.

To receive further updates about the Aramin Scholarship Fund please go
to http://groups.google.com/group/araminscholarshipfund and click
"Join this group" in the right column. Our committee will do our best
to respond to all questions and suggestions posted there.

Sincere thanks,

Dr. Jim Whitman
Senior Lecturer in Peace Studies
University of Bradford
West Yorkshire,
BD7 1DP,
UK