South Africa's Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has raised concern over the fact that its executive director for its democracy and governance research programme, Professor Adam Habib, had been denied entry into the US.

Habib, who is a respected scholar and outspoken left-leaning political commentator, had his visa revoked by the US government on his arrival in New York on Saturday October 21, 2006. He was subsequently deported back to South Africa.

His deportation comes amidst rising concern, particularly among people of the Islamic faith, about the increasing difficulties associated with travelling to the US and other parts of the Western World.

The HSRC said in a media release on Tuesday that, to date, no reasons had been given for these actions. Habib was part of a HSRC delegation to the US, led by the HSRC's CEO Dr Olive Shisana, which was to meet a number of institutions, including the National Institute of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, the World Bank, Columbia University, and a number of donor agencies, including the Carnegie and Gates Foundations during their visit.

“The HSRC has written letters of concern to both the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy in Tshwane, requesting their assistance in establishing the reasons for the denial of entry. As soon as more information is made available, it will be communicated to the public,” acting CEO Dr Temba Masilela said.