US clears way for return of 2 Muslim scholars

In this Dec. 2, 2009 file photo, Islam expert Tariq Ramadan arrives for a meeting with a Parliamentary panel at France's National Assembly in Paris. Ramadan is one of two prominent Muslim scholars who has cleared the way for the return to the United States by the U.S. State Department, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010 who was once accused of having ties to terrorism. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — The State Department has cleared the way for two Muslim scholars to return to the United States after being rejected because of alleged ties to terrorism.

Spokesman Darby Holladay said Wednesday that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has signed orders enabling their entry if they obtain visas.

The professors are Tariq Ramadan (tuh-REEK’ RAH’-muh-dahn) of Oxford University and Adam Habib (huh-BEEB’) of the University of Johannesburg.

Holladay noted a change in U.S. posture since they made statements counter to U.S. foreign policy. She says Clinton decided to use her authority to benefit the professors.

The American Civil Liberties Union says it expects them to get visas within weeks of requesting them. Habib says in a statement that it’s a victory “for democracy around the world.”