Khan Charges Islamic Group Lacks Legality

The Harvard Islamic Society has been operating "illegally," and its recent election of officers was conducted under "dubious" conditions, Bakhtiyar Ali Khan '59, former secretary of the Society, charged last night.

Although the group has been using "Harvard" in its name for two years, it has never submitted a constitution to the Dean's office, Khan said. Dean Watson must approve all organizations which plan to use "Harvard" in their name.

Group Only Registered

Yusuf K. H. Ibish 3G, the new president of the Society, acknowledged the charge, but said the group "has been registered with the Dean, and will present a constitution within two weeks." "If Khan didn't like the situation last year, why didn't he go to the press when he was still Secretary," Ibish asked.

Officers "Chided" Khan

Khan claimed that last year he tried repeatedly to submit a constitution to the Dean, but was prevented by Sayied Hossein Nasr, who was then president of the Society. "I was chided by the other officers of the Society for concerning myself with what they called 'petty things'", he added.

"The people who spearheaded the move to keep the non-Moslems from voting were elected to all three offices. They are Yusuf K. H. Ibish 3G, President, Muhammad I. Chaudhry 3G, secretary, and Mohammed A. H. Shabaan 5G, treasurer," Khan continued.

Ibish claimed, however, that the non-Moslems themselves voted 26 to 1 against participating in the election of officers. "The election was perfectly legal, announced, and conducted with a quorum," he emphasized.

"Self-seeking fanatics have taken charge of a once-healthy organization," Khan charged. "The new officers have made the Society look like a strictly religious organization; they have ignored the cultural and social aspects."