Oct 26, 2011
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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.
FOX News Talk
Surely Muslims are smart enough to know that if you choose to go to a Catholic university you are going to get Catholic icons duh. I wonder if I stopped in at a local Muslim school could I make them put up a cross and hand out Bibles…
Be very wary of the Muslim movement in this country.
So Catholics must provide a Christian free zone for Muslims, but where on earth is anyone finding a place where Muslims reciprocate and provide a Muslim free zone for Christians?
Time to exterminate Muslims and Jews in a new Crusades.
Maybe it is time to once again exterminate Muslims and Jews in a New Crusades…And burn some witches at the stake for good measure.
Screw the freakn muslims! If you don't like it, move your ass back to where you came from.
Reminds me of the good people in Fayetteville that built homes next to Thunder Valley raceway. …and then complained about the noise and got the racetrack shut down.
This is about as stupid as it gets. Whoever even wrote this article should have their head examined! If a Muslim chooses to attend a Catholic school, they should EXPECT Catholic things! Do Muslims accommodate Jews, Christians, etc? I think not!
they know what environment they are going intro… they either stay away or accept what they are knowingly going into!
America was founded on freedom OF religion not freedom FROM religion. America was founded by Judeo-Christians who came here for ONE PURPOSE. To get away from the dictator King of England who controlled the Church of England and the State and the Church tortured, killed, burned at the stake, and drew and quartered people who were caught with a Bible that was not printed in Latin, i.e. was printed in English, therefore, the common citizen could read it. The corrupt Powermongers in the State and Church did not want to lose their power over the people by letting common folk read the Holy Scriptures of the Bible because then the common folk would realize that it is against God's written Word to pay sinful men for sins or to ask sinful men for forgiveness from sin. And so, the Puritans came here at great risk and suffering and esta…blished a nation with the Mayflower Compact and the Constitution that guarantees the citizens to be free to read the Bible and worship the God of the Bible…the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. America was founded by Judeo-Christians to pray and worship the God of the Bible. Later Thomas Jefferson wrote the letter to the Danbury Baptist Church to tell them that the State should not hang around the neck of the church as it had in England, i.e. the State should not tell the church what to do. Liberals have taken that letter and twisted it to mean "separation of church and state" and now these FFR people have twisted it to mean that in America every citizen must be free FROM religion. Nothing could be further from the truth and from the Constitution and every intention and writing of our Founding Fathers. If you don't like the Bible and prayer to the God of the Bible and the Ten Commandments, then just don't pray when someone else around you is praying. Read your cell phone or do something else. Or better yet, leave and go to North Korea or many Muslim countries where you will be killed for praying to the God of the Bible, reading a Bible or giving a Bible to someone or telling someone about Jesus. Or to China where you will be imprisoned or killed for telling others about Jesus outside of the State-controlled "church". But don't try to undo the very foundation that undergirds our nation and Constitution because if you do, the whole nation will crumble.
This nation was not founded by Muslims or Allah. It was founded by JUDEO-CHRISTIANS so they could pray to the God of the Bible, Jehovah God the FAther, Jesus God the Son, Jesus the Holy Spirit, the Godhead 3-in-1. If people don't like that, they should go somewhere else. Go to North Korea or many Muslim countries where you will be killed for praying to the God of the Bible, reading a Bible or giving a Bible to someone or telling someone about Jesus. Or to China where you will be imprisoned or killed for telling others about Jesus outside of the State-controlled "church". But don't try to undo the very foundation that undergirds our nation and Constitution because if you do, the whole nation will crumble.
If they are buried in their chest….move back to the sandbox and take obonzo the imbecile with you.
Who gives a crap what the muslim students want, It is a Catholic University. And they really are that stupid but what they are doing is throwing their weight around and trying to drive the Catholics out of their school, they know what they will get what they want. How many Catholics are going to a muslim school and demanding something? Stop the stupidy. Muslims must go.
Who gives a crap what the muslim students want, It is a Catholic University. And they really are that stupid but what they are doing is throwing their weight around and trying to drive the Catholics out of their school, they know what they will get what they want. How many Catholics are going to a muslim school and demanding something? Stop the stupidy. Muslims must go.
Just another way for them to start their anti muslim crap. I should go to a muslim university and complain that their religious symbols violate MY human rights. Think I'd get the same consideration and sympathy from the news medias?
Nope, its a Catholic University, it you are offended by that,,,then dont go there!!!
Nope, its a Catholic University, it you are offended by that,,,then dont go there!!!
Exactly. 2+2 is 4
If Muslims are offended they need to return to the Middle East where they are the only religion allowed. You are the in the USA where everyone is protected to practice whatever religion they wish. I agree with Christy if you want to go to a Muslim University then go to one, a Catholic University has better education and they have a right to have as many crosses as they like.
NO!
hey muslims if you don't like the crosses which I'm sure you fear – then don't go there – go somewhere else – no one has to change their views just to appease you – we don't have to change our laws just because you don't like it – if you don't like our laws or our tradition then go back to where you came from – its as simple as that.
They should go home to their muslim schools and get the heck out of our Republic! Human Rights, my butt. They want to do away with our Constitution and replace it with sharia, NOT here!
The only reason those Muslims even entered GWU is to do exactly what they are doing now: hellbent on driving their ways right over the ways of believers in Creator God. They knew when they applied to GWU that it was Christian. They have enough money, land and population. Let them build their own universities and fill the chairs with those anti-American Muslim professors that are doing their best to destroy the minds of our young people in our colleges and universities.
Do I hate Muslims? Certainly not. But it is well beyond the time that they either accept the American way of life or go back to wherever their originall resided. This is America, One Nation Under God, with liberty and justice for all. We are NOT to force our beliefs on others. Pray for them, yes. Answer questions, etc., about our beliefs? Yes. Tell others that they have to (or else) believe as you do? "HECK no!" We have a firm belief of live and let live in our country. So, to anyone and everyone, if you do not like it, leave it. Good luck, good fortune to you.
The only reason those Muslims even entered GWU is to do exactly what they are doing now: hellbent on driving their ways right over the ways of believers in Creator God. They knew when they applied to GWU that it was Christian. They have enough money, land and population. Let them build their own universities and fill the chairs with those anti-American Muslim professors that are doing their best to destroy the minds of our young people in our colleges and universities.
Do I hate Muslims? Certainly not. But it is well beyond the time that they either accept the American way of life or go back to wherever their originall resided. This is America, One Nation Under God, with liberty and justice for all. We are NOT to force our beliefs on others. Pray for them, yes. Answer questions, etc., about our beliefs? Yes. Tell others that they have to (or else) believe as you do? "HECK no!" We have a firm belief of live and let live in our country. So, to anyone and everyone, if you do not like it, leave it. Good luck, good fortune to you.
Remember when Obama played kissie-face with the new president of Egypt, the terrorist leader, Mursi? Well, dear readers, in case you are not aware, Muslims in Egypt are busy HANGING and BEHEADING Christians, burning their churches, etc. Golly whiz, and BO said we must make nice with the new president of Egypt. Excuse my blunt grammar, but BO is one twisted, crude dude.
Remember when Obama played kissie-face with the new president of Egypt, the terrorist leader, Mursi? Well, dear readers, in case you are not aware, Muslims in Egypt are busy HANGING and BEHEADING Christians, burning their churches, etc. Golly whiz, and BO said we must make nice with the new president of Egypt. Excuse my blunt grammar, but BO is one twisted, crude dude.
This never ending frivolous muslim lawsuit is part of their game plan to paralyze this country, most of them come here as immigrants and as refugee, we feed them, house them educate them and all they have in mind is to create chaos and mayhem…from Disneyland, hertz, Abercrombie and fitch and now this? I have never seen a muslim charity , evertything they do is take take and take…and when people speak up, they get called a racist or an islamophoebe…its a catholic college..whicg part of the word Catholic you people did not understand?
This never ending frivolous muslim lawsuit is part of their game plan to paralyze this country, most of them come here as immigrants and as refugee, we feed them, house them educate them and all they have in mind is to create chaos and mayhem…from Disneyland, hertz, Abercrombie and fitch and now this? I have never seen a muslim charity , evertything they do is take take and take…and when people speak up, they get called a racist or an islamophoebe…its a catholic college..whicg part of the word Catholic you people did not understand?
This never ending frivolous muslim lawsuit is part of their game plan to paralyze this country, most of them come here as immigrants and as refugee, we feed them, house them educate them and all they have in mind is to create chaos and mayhem…from Disneyland, hertz, Abercrombie and fitch and now this? I have never seen a muslim charity , evertything they do is take take and take…and when people speak up, they get called a racist or an islamophoebe…its a catholic college..which part of the word Catholic you people did not understand? its a private school and they intyetionally enroll there to create this kind of argument…this people are getting ridiculous.
Who gives a shit if it violates their rights —- they violate my rights!
Who gives a shit if it violates their rights —- they violate my rights!
Idris Nawab –we don't fear islam, we pity them… that is why we feed them, educate them, house them, cure them when their sick…we are kind to muslim people, toop bad you people cannot say that you ever help christians…. you must think, that by smiling at us, while you take advantage of our kindness, is because we FEAR you people…no sir…KINDNESS , SHARING, CONSIDERATION is something you people need to learn more about and apply it to your daily life…not TAKE, TAKE and TAKE, all because ITS FREE…
Idris Nawab –we don't fear islam, we pity them… that is why we feed them, educate them, house them, cure them when their sick…we are kind to muslim people, toop bad you people cannot say that you ever help christians…. you must think, that by smiling at us, while you take advantage of our kindness, is because we FEAR you people…no sir…KINDNESS , SHARING, CONSIDERATION is something you people need to learn more about and apply it to your daily life…not TAKE, TAKE and TAKE, all because ITS FREE…
Here they come! sneaking in to every institution they can, I have no doubt that our ignorance of their ultimate goal may cause great sorrow if we don't have the same conviction to handle them the way they handle christians in country's where they are the majority then "we will suffer for it" you can only be rational to open minded rational people. Stand on muslim soil and start praying to Christ and see if You aren't stoned or beheaded in the name of their god, and we aren't stupid enough to let them even in our country. According to their religion the only reason they are here is to infiltrate and cause discord. WAKE UP AMERICA THEIR ULTIMATE GOAL IS OUR AND ISRAELS DESTRUCTION, LETS GET ON OUR KNEES AND PRAY TO GOD TO HELP US , IF WE DON'T HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE GOD HE MAY LET THEM TAKE OVER AND THEN THE END.
Absolutely not…There should be crosses everywhere and on anything.
Its amazing – the whole time that I was growing up – when Christians and those of strong morals complained about what was being put on TV for public consumption, liberals said "If you don't like what's on the TV, change the channel" However now it is deemed unfair to say, "If you don't like what you see, don't go."
This is absurd! It would be like going to a vegan restaurant and demanding they serve you steak tartar. Just to answer the question in the article's title: NO. H*ll, no. Catholic University isn't telling them they can't practice Islam, just that they (the University) aren't going to violate the tenets of their faith to accommodate the practice of another. Almighty God demands no less.
Get ready, because Obama part II is going to really stick it to us Catholics. So much for freedom of religion or conscience.
This is outrageous that it is allowed to become a discussion. If they want to hold meetings without religious symbols, go somewhere else. FREEDOM OF RELIGION – Not Freedom from religion!
I've got two questions. 1) How does this idiot get a law degree let alone a teaching position at George Washington University. 2) Exactly why would a muslimapply to a Christian place of education, unless it was to try to separate us even more from our core beliefs. My thoughts, do not let one more muslim in this country EVER and kick the o.e who are here out.
OK…I totally agree with you on this! LOL!! Well, not the part about not letting muslims in this country, but if they choose to attend a Catholic University, that's not a Human Rights violation. Personally, if I had to pray (LOL – me pray?) in a Catholic Church and Jesus was looking down on me, it's okay, he was a Jew and nothing but. Not that I'm a Jew in my belief system, just a Jew in heritage and a heart tug for the Jewish causes. But let's just say the school system in where I lived was horrible and I chose to send my kids to a Christian school to get a better education, I would respect the Christian school's right to have crosses wherever they wanted.
This is ridiculous! Yeah.. how about they go to a Muslim College! They are attending a CATHOLIC COLLEGE, for pete's sake! It SHOULD have crosses and that displayed everywhere! If they don't like it, they have the choice to go to a NON Religious school!
This is ridiculous! Yeah.. how about they go to a Muslim College! They are attending a CATHOLIC COLLEGE, for pete's sake! It SHOULD have crosses and that displayed everywhere! If they don't like it, they have the choice to go to a NON Religious school!
If they don't like the crosses, don't let the door hit you in the a$$ when you leave.
Obama will make them remove them, because after all "It's the right thing to do" can't offend the muslims.
Obama will make them remove them, because after all "It's the right thing to do" can't offend the muslims.
I hope they violate the rights of Muslims as much as Muslims violate the rights of others. Ever see a Catholic in Mecca?
I hope they violate the rights of Muslims as much as Muslims violate the rights of others. Ever see a Catholic in Mecca?
If they don't like the crosses, don't let the door hit you in the a$$ when you leave.
Muslims demand special treatment wherever they go yet in countries where they hold political power they denigrate, subjugate and persecute all who are not of their faith. Am I the only one who is tired of Muslims complaining about our country, culture and traiditions? Why do they come here if they dislike it so much?
As I recall this suit was not brought by anyone at Catholic University, and the Muslim students were quite happy with their treatment at the school. The suit was filed by a law professor at George Washington University who has a real problem with Catholic University. He must be another atheist with a chip on his shoulder.
If they offend them then GOOD!
What the hell, then DON'T go to a Catholic school…this over zealous PC shit is f'ing ridiculous!!!!
Gone too far – don't like it leave, don't want it leave, don't want to see it don't go there and get out of my country.
This is too weird…what else was happening? Were these people losing their scholarships or work study monies or something? Were they failing courses? Were they losing their student visas? They are looking for a settlement, or there wouldn't be a private lawyer involved; so I do not believe in they are offended.
Anyone protesting Christian crosses at a Christian University should not be there. Period. Find another school.
What the heck did they expect? What did they think Catholic University meant? Go find a mosque somewhere. If a Catholic went to a Muslim school, would they find a place for the Catholic to pray with out having to look at big mo or Allah associated writings? No! Muslims don't want to change anything but want everyone else to change to them. Go to Saudi Arabia and try to build a church. Impossible. But they expect us to build mosques here for them.
I hope the Catholic University fights this nonsense. Idiots. Islam is about as peaceful as the Black Panthers.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY WE CARE! THEY CAME TO OUR COUNTRY, IF IT OFFENDS THEM, WELL….TOUGH! THEY CAN GO BACK TO THEIR LAND AND WORSHIP AS THEY PLEASE! THIS IS OUR COUNTRY AND I NEVER THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT WE SHOULD CHANGE TO PLEASE OTHERS WHO COME TO JOIN US! THEY SHOULD COME WILLING TO ACCEPT OUR CUSTOMS, CULTURES AND FAITH, IF THEY DON'T WANT WHAT WE BELIEVE IN , THEN THEY SHOULD GO BACK WHERE THEY CAME FROM!
I AM SO SICK OF " POLITICAL CORRECTNESS". THAT'S JUST ANOTHER WAY OUR GOVERNMENT HAS SOLD OUT OUR COUNTRY TO " GOD HATING PEOPLE!" SO THEY CAN DO THE DEVIL'S WORK!
Are you serious? Its a Catholic University. Its not a public institution. This is just insanity.The lawyers who took this case should be shot. If I decide to get an advanced degree from an Adventist University, I must comply with their rules and religion. I don't have to like it, but I am certainly NOT going to bring a law suit. I signed up for the school by choice.
That is so wrong in so many ways. The Catholic Univeristy is a organization of its own and they have there OWN beliefs on religion. I believe this thing where we have let the United Nations come in and take control of our Nation is taking toll on our freedom here in the U.S.A. This got to STOP!
Actually, its in a contract I sign if I decide to be educated by the institution. Maybe Catholic University in DC has been a bit too tolerant of other religious groups.
Actually, its in a contract I sign if I decide to be educated by the institution. Maybe Catholic University in DC has been a bit too tolerant of other religious groups.
"Do Crosses at Catholic University Violate “Human Rights” of Muslims?"
After the heinous attack on the U.S. Embassy in Lybia, one can only hope so…
"Do Crosses at Catholic University Violate “Human Rights” of Muslims?"
After the heinous attack on the U.S. Embassy in Lybia, one can only hope so…
How about sticking a cross or a star of David up in a Muslim school–how long would that last?
Just let the anti-American anti-Christian Muslims sue us over these issues. We now have the greatest lawyers that money can buy. I can think of no better way to get rich by countersuing, can you?
Why would muslims go to a Catholic university? Umm, HELLOOOOOOOOO!
To burn it down and kill people thats why
sometimes I am totally dumbfounded by our Govt.'s lack of common sense to be even debating this.
Give me a freaking break!
Delon Smith
This is wrong, I went to a catholic university in ny. Any group there from the chinese cultural association to the carribean students association to the philosophy club could apply for university funds, they could hold events, and if they had enough members, they could get a room to hold meetings or pray or whatever. This was the most diverse school ever, and none of these tensions existed. There's no way these college students filed this lawsuit unless they had to. And what is this crap about "creeping sharia" or the "50 year plan", last I checked, it was christian pastors showing up at my door, trying to convert me on the subway. Are you guys serious?