Oct 26, 2011
The Washington, D.C. Office of Human Rights confirmed that it is investigating allegations that Catholic University violated the human rights of Muslim students by not allowing them to form a Muslim student group and by not providing them rooms without Christian symbols for their daily prayers.
The investigation alleges that Muslim students “must perform their prayers surrounded by symbols of Catholicism – e.g., a wooden crucifix, paintings of Jesus, pictures of priests and theologians which many Muslim students find inappropriate.”
A spokesperson for the Office of Human Rights told Fox News they had received a 60-page complaint against the private university. The investigation, they said, could take as long a six months.
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The complaint was filed by John Banzhaf, an attorney and professor at George Washington University Law School. Banzhaf has been involved in previous litigation against the school involving the same-sex residence halls. He also alleged in his complaint involving Muslim students that women at the university were being discriminated against. You can read more on those allegations by clicking here.
Banzhaf said some Muslim students were particularly offended because they had to meditate in the school’s chapels “and at the cathedral that looms over the entire campus – the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.”
“It shouldn’t be too difficult somewhere on the campus for the university to set aside a small room where Muslims can pray without having to stare up and be looked down upon by a cross of Jesus,” he told Fox News.
A spokesman for Catholic University released a statement to Fox News indicating they had not seen any legal filings — but would respond once they do.
“Our faithfulness to our Catholic tradition has also made us a welcome home to students of other religions,” said Victor Nakas, associate vice president for public affairs. “No students have registered complaints about the exercise of their religions on our campus.”
In a 2010 interview with National Public Radio, university president John Garvey acknowledged that they don’t set aside prayer rooms for Muslim students.
“We make classrooms available, or our chapels are places where they can pray,” he told NPR. “We don’t offer Halal meat, although there are always meals that conform to Halal regulations, that allow students to do what they want.”
Banzhaf said that it is technically not illegal for Catholic University to refuse to provide rooms devoid of religious icons.
“It may not be illegal, but it suggests they are acting improperly and probably with malice,” he said. “They do have to pray five times a day, they have to look around for empty classrooms and to be sitting there trying to do Muslim prayers with a big cross looking down or a picture of Jesus or a picture of the Pope is not very conductive to their religion.”
As for the creation of a Muslim student group, Banzhaf said the university has an association of Jewish students – so why not a Muslim group?
“I think they are entitled as a matter of law to be able to form a Muslim student association and to have the same privileges as associations,” he said. “I think that most of them would much prefer to have a place to pray – that they are not surrounded by various Catholic symbols – a place that is more conductive to their religious beliefs than being surrounded by pictures of Popes.”
Garvey, in his 2010 interview with NPR, addressed that issue.
“It’s just not something that we view as an activity that we want to sponsor because we’re a Catholic institution rather than Muslim,” he said.
Patrick Reilly, the president of the Cardinal Newman Society, an organization that promotes Catholic identity among Catholic schools, seemed stunned by the complaint.
“I don’t know what the attorney wants them to do – if he wants them to actually move the Basilica or if the Muslim students can find someplace where they don’t have to look at it,” he told Fox News.
Catholic University, he said, is a Catholic institution.
“One wouldn’t expect a Jewish institution to be responsible for providing liturgical opportunities for other faiths and I wouldn’t expect a Catholic institution to do that,” he said.
“This attorney is really turning civil rights on its head,” he said. “He’s using the law for his own discrimination against the Catholic institution and essentially saying Catholic University cannot operate according to Catholic principles.”
Read coverage from Catholic University’s student newspaper by clicking here.
Anyone interested in this story should read "Islam Uncensored" by Jeff King. Great book on what is going on here… we have become a country too concerned with political correctness to even question things that don't seem right but come under the umbrella of race or religion.
These students are not stupid. They know what they are doing. The Koran divides the world into the world of war and the world of Islam. They have a purpose to convert all of us into Muslims. And the liberal apologists for this religion are helping them. For shame
I agree. You enroll at a Catholic University – what do you expect – Muslim statues. Why don't they just leave and go found their own university – Muslim Univ. then they can pray 5 times a day in the comfort of their own type.
JESUS CHRIST. (No pun intended). It's a CHRISTIAN SCHOOL. If you don't like that, then don't attend. I am sick of Muslims trying to dictate everyone ELSE'S lives when they themselves display NO tolerance. I wonder what would happen if a Christian group in Pakistan for instance insisted some Madras take down its Islamic verses or stop playing those silly tunes to prayer. Oh yeah, that's right. They kill christians over there JUST FOR EXISTING.
The only reason normal people put up with this crap is that they are afraid of getting bombed or killed for dissenting. How pathetic. I think France is finally on the right track on this issue. They won't back down and are in fact outlawing such idiocy!
I find it ridiculous but remember not to judge all, just those who do stupid things like this. =p I find it hilarious and I'm sure they have friends who are like, "Man, you and your group here are stupid."
IN GOD WE TRUST apart of U.S.A. history if you do not like it ignore it, it is not going anywhere.
give me a break! Do you think the Muslims would change anything in their country because it might offend a Catholic? In their country Catholic's, etc are being killed. If they don't like what we do here, then leave the US. Its ridiculous how we are supposed to appease every nationale that comes here. We are what we are here in the US, ya don't like it, leave it!
There are having a heck of a time in Spain right now due to all the changes the Muslims want. Spain is finally starting to fight back and say get lost if you don't like it. We should do that to…as my mom used to say "show them the door and don't let it kick you in the ass on the way out".
What I fail to understand here is all this anti-Muslim speech when the majority of the students that go to this school are not foreign students. They are American, and they have the same rights as everyone else. If I were Muslim, I wouldn't attend a religious school that wasn't in my religion, but there may be a reason they might have for doing that. But that still doesn't explain the HATE I see spewed from supposedly Christian people. *shudder* I was always taught that Jesus said to love one another, and that Christianity was a religion of love – God loves everyone. I guess that really isn't so. Sad.
What I fail to understand here is all this anti-Muslim speech when the majority of the students that go to this school are not foreign students. They are American, and they have the same rights as everyone else. If I were Muslim, I wouldn't attend a religious school that wasn't in my religion, but there may be a reason they might have for doing that. But that still doesn't explain the HATE I see spewed from supposedly Christian people. *shudder* I was always taught that Jesus said to love one another, and that Christianity was a religion of love – God loves everyone. I guess that really isn't so. Sad.
Who cares. I for one am sick and tired of walking on egg shells for fear of offending muslims.
any thing regarding to religion is BAD. The Holy Bible (new international version is good).
Didn't the Pope say Islam-Obam-a is the religion of Satan? So what's so confusing: their gripes r 2 b expected, right?
Didn't the Pope say Islam-Obam-a is the religion of Satan? So what's so confusing: their gripes r 2 b expected, right?
If the muslims do not like it because they are not being catered to then they need to go back to their own country.Tired of their bs, worked for a company that had several people from arabic countries, nice people on a one to one basis, but also very prejidiced aganist christians in their home countries..
If the muslims do not like it because they are not being catered to then they need to go back to their own country.Tired of their bs, worked for a company that had several people from arabic countries, nice people on a one to one basis, but also very prejidiced aganist christians in their home countries..
Who cares if crosses at Catholic universities offend M-u-s-l-i-m-s? Why would they go there in the first place? They are as bad as liberals with their incremental steps to ruin America and take over. I say we should maintain our own culture without letting anyone take it from us.
Who cares if crosses at Catholic universities offend M-u-s-l-i-m-s? Why would they go there in the first place? They are as bad as liberals with their incremental steps to ruin America and take over. I say we should maintain our own culture without letting anyone take it from us.
I think there is a muslim university in downtown Tehran and these so-called students would be welcome there I'm sure.
Well, I am anti-catholic (religion not the people) because I am a protestant. I cannot understand 2 things here. 1) Why would a muslim go to a school that he / she believes are infidels? Why place yourself in that situation? 2) Why sue the school for its religious practices when you went to the school of your choice?
They did not make you go to their school; did they put a gun to your head or threaten your family? I mean if you don’t believe the way this group does then why go there in the 1st place? Well the answer to my question is simple, they are doing this to do damage to their enemy in any way they can. They have been trained well. I am also anti-muslim (religion not the people) as well. And I would never go to one of their schools either nor would I force my beliefs on them either as it is being done here in this article.
What are Muslims doing in our Catholic University in the first place? Christianity is the TRUE religion, Jesus is the founder of His church, their founder was simply a ‘man’ and we're not going to compromise our faith to please them! KINDLY LEAVE!
Lets see, Catholic University, espouses Catholicism, which by definition is The Doctrine, practice and faith of the Roman Catholic Church. Am I missing something here. So now I am to believe that Muslims attending a Catholic University (which again refer to above) are offended by the fact that Catholics practice their faith at this University, and somehow this is an offense to the Human Rights of Muslims. So am I to believe that a Roman Catholic attended a Muslim school would be granted an accommodation for their faith, is this what I am to believe. In reality they would be considered and infidel and be thrown out on their ear, plain and simple.
Hunting and killing muslims an American tradition since The First Barbary War (1801–1805). The muslims have been at war with the USA for over 200 years.
CHUTZPAH! You're getting it. This is the trip they're on. Bamboozle, intimidate, shove and yell. You're getting it.
Why is this even a question? The Muslim students are obviously there to force this issue in the name of 'tolerance'. Tolerance is the LAST thing on such people's minds.
Amen.
If it offends Muslims then maybe they should not be going to the catholic university. They should start Their own university and let us have the freedom to choose what we want. The united states was founded on the basis of freedom of religion.
Sounds like the Muslims are the intolerant ones. I'm guessing Catholics or a member of any other religion would not be offended by having to hold services or pray in a mosque at a Muslim university. Muslims are a bunch of intolerant bigots!
Don't go to a Catholic University if you are offended by crosses. Unbelievable! People are out of control!
If Muslims don't want crosses at a Catholic university to "Interfere" with their prayer maybe they should consider attending a university some where else, maybe the university of Yemen. Or pray outside where they don't offend the rest of us.A unused pig pen is available just across town.
Well, I am offended that MUSLIMS live in the U.S., as we are a Christian Nation, founded on Christian beliefs…. We don't want you or your religion here. Go to a MUSLIM country and live any way you wish….WE ARE OFFENDED…. (is the Government going to kick them out and uphold OUR "human rights"?
So much for the religion of peace and tolerance. It seems Islam can only tolerate other religions when they conform to Islam. Look, let’s just look at this for what it is and deal with it accordingly; the Muslims are trying to force another faith to conform to Islamic beliefs and that is a violation of the other faiths civil rights. The Muslims should be told to either accept the schools right to operate in accordance with its doctrine, or they should attend a different institution. What is most disturbing is that this situation demonstrates what has happened to our society in general. We have allowed certain groups to assert their desires and demands over the desires of the majority. Because of political correctness and fear of being assigned a derogatory label, we allow minorities to dictate to the majority in ways that are unfair and absurd. Our country has become unrecognizable. We used to have a moral standard; we used to stand for something. What does America stand for today? It would seem, anything and everything. We follow the wind.
Does writing stupid inflammatory headlines violate your literate level?
What a rediculous notion. If you want pizza then don't go to Burger King…. Go to Pizza Hut. You know those radical christians. Boy they pray for everyone….
Oh, yes, just give the devil a little foothold onto the campus grounds where he can do his recruiting from the weak nominal Christian grounds. Like wolves they prey on innocence. But wise like serpents yes Christians for the devil prowls like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
These 'jacks' are still living in the 11th century. Still fighting the Crusaders!
What are they doing in a Catholic school in the first place? Why is anyone offended by an artifact they believe is of no value?
Spo if I go to Mecca I can go to Church No no Cathloic Churches are allowed in the whole Country. They even have religous police enforce the discramination.
THIS IS UN-UN-UNBELIEVABLE! I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IT LIKE I SEES IT! GO BACK TO YOUR OWN STUPID COUNTRY YOU DAMN MUSLIMS! I cannot believe what I'm seeing here! This is just ridiculous that they are feeling "offended" by having to look at our Crosses. Why in the hell did they decide to go to a CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY? Were they too stupid to figure out that there were going to be CROSSES? Hello? How stupid can you be? O wait a minute! Yeah….they're infiltrating our institutions so they can take them over and demand sharia law…..JUST LIKE IN FRANCE AND THE U.K…..and these idiots in the institutions are allowing it…..maybe we should FIRE OUR UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS for allowing these jerks into the institutions. My kids go to a Christian High School and our whole family had to sign an agreement that we believed in THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT or guess what? They had the right to not accept my kids if we didn't have the same belief system as they were teaching…..it's called FREEDOM OF RELIGIONS. I AM SO SO SO SICK OF THESE PEOPLE….SEND THEM BACK TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY OR DEMAND THAT THEY "DO AS ROMANS DO WHEN THEY ARE IN ROME."
who in their right mind, a muslum, would enrole in a catholic school to begin with? their mind is not right. they can always go outside and pray with the wild life. seems fiting.
I as a proud American war veteran and a Christian (Catholic) am offended we have radical Muslims, such as the likes of Obama in America. Their presence offend me very much and they should be removed from our society. That is my right as an American. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Muslims have no rights in America after what they did on 9/11 to America. They should be rounded up like we did to the Japanese in World War II. I would not put them in concentration camps, but would deport them back home along with our now known homosexual acting President.
More relevant to the story here is this attorney. Look him up and see the kind of *crap* suits he brings.
This is about HIM, not muslim students at Catholic University.
This as Christy says is INFURIATING! You are not forced to go to this University so if the Cross Offends you get the hell out and go to another University. I am sick and tired of this BS! If you read the Constitution of the United States There is no statement "Separation of church and state" What they do say is there will be no state religion. Read the Document!
This as Christy says is INFURIATING! You are not forced to go to this University so if the Cross Offends you get the hell out and go to another University. I am sick and tired of this BS! If you read the Constitution of the United States There is no statement "Separation of church and state" What they do say is there will be no state religion. Read the Document!
It's a faith based university; Christianity is the standard. It's time for the university to remove the moslem hoard.
Outrageous. It's a private religious university and they had to know that when they enrolled. I wouldn't enroll in a Muslim university and expect special accommodations.
Dont the muslims get their own school? this is seriously messed up. how can u say crosses arent allowed in a catholic school? They need to leave…just GET OUT!!!!