Catholic University Allegedly Violated Muslim Students' Rights

[DrPhil]

I heard about this on Fox News this morning. The below article includes a link to Catholic University's school newspaper.

Originally Posted by Article

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.”

http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes...t-crosses.html

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When I first heard the story, I thought they were talking about a private K-12 school. I thought it makes no sense to accuse a private Catholic school of alienating Muslim students--don't attend a private Catholic K-12 if you want to be an active Muslim while at school.

http://www.cua.edu/about-cua/mission-statement.cfm

This is a privately owned Catholic university. Do they receive some government funding as some private universities do? Are there reasonable expectations of inclusion and cohesion?

What say you, GCers? I am especially interested in the GC attorneys' opinions.

[DrPhil]

Huffington Post article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/1...n_1064048.html

[IrishLake]

I do not understand the desire to go to any religious affiliated school if you object the the message that religion is trying to deliver.

If you aren't a member or follower of that religion, and you aren't offended, or don't care, then by all means - attend! I remember people I went to high school with pissy about having to take Catholic religion courses at the University of Dayton, it's mandatory. If you don't like it, or don't want to, then why not go to school somewhere else?

[SWTXBelle]

NPR did a story a few months back on why many Muslims attend Catholic universities. They go because of the conservative aspects of the campus culture.

[AGDee]

It is a private Catholic university, not a public university. Their mission, per their web site is:

As the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, founded and sponsored by the bishops of the country with the approval of the Holy See, The Catholic University of America is committed to being a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning, faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as handed on by the Church. Dedicated to advancing the dialogue between faith and reason, The Catholic University of America seeks to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, all in service to the Church, the nation and the world.

If you do not agree with that mission, then don't apply there. Ditto for Brigham Young, Notre Dame, Oral Roberts, etc.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

NPR did a story a few months back on why many Muslims attend Catholic universities. They go because of the conservative aspects of the campus culture.

Thanks for bringing that up:

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/23/132259...holic-Campuses

[Tulip86]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

NPR did a story a few months back on why many Muslims attend Catholic universities. They go because of the conservative aspects of the campus culture.

My parents are both principals at urban elementary schools and echo this sentiment. In their experience Muslim parents often prefer a school that at least teaches about faith and follows standards and morals similar to those their own faith holds.

[IrishLake]

That's great, I can understand why they are initially attracted to a conservative religious institution. But would the same courtesy be extended to a Christian student attending a Muslim university? If they want or need a space to pray free of Christian insignia, then that should be their own responsibility to find. It even says they never complained to the school. Perhaps a professor would have accommodated them had they asked, instead of jumping into lawsuit land.

The organization of a Muslim student group though, I don't agree with. If they allow a Jewish one, then yes, they should allow a Muslim one. I personally think it should be all or nothing, but as a private school, I supposed they have the right to pick and choose?

[DDDlady]

Originally Posted by AGDee

If you do not agree with that mission, then don't apply there. Ditto for Brigham Young, Notre Dame, Oral Roberts, etc.

This.

When I was applying for grad school, there were several good, well respected programs at religious universities. Yet, when I looked at the universities further, I knew that I could not comply with their rules/mission. I mean, one school stated they would kick you out if you were caught drinking. Even if you were of age and off campus. And you had to attend mandatory religion classes ( I am religious, but not this religion). That didn't sit well with me so I didn't apply. I found another university whose standards/rules I could live with. I am so tired of people thinking that everyone should bend over backwards just for them.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Tulip86

My parents are both principals at urban elementary schools and echo this sentiment. In their experience Muslim parents often prefer a school that at least teaches about faith and follows standards and morals similar to those their own faith holds.

But faiths aren't interchangeable.

My old neighbor had this issue. The Catholic school her kids attended had MANY non-Catholic students whose parents sent them there primarily because it had more discipline than the public schools. The problem came when those parents complained about the overt Catholicism (!) and the school started watering it down. She pulled her kids out of that school (and her family out of the congregation).

If I'm lactose intolerant I'm not going to go to the Fondue Pot and complain that the menu is too full of cheese. Why parents or students feel entitled to do the same with PRIVATE schools is beyond me.

[PiKA2001]

The HuffPo article claims it's not the students that are complaining, but a rabble rousing law professor who has issues with this. I could see if they weren't allowing muslim prayer at all, but they are allowing that.

The school says they have not received complaints from students themselves, Fox News points out.

Banzhaf, who teaches at George Washington University, has filed several other complaints, including one involving dorms and sex discrimination. The Washington Post points out that his own website dubs him as "the area's best-known 'radical' law professor."

[Tulip86]

Originally Posted by 33girl

But faiths aren't interchangeable.

That's not what I'm suggesting, just that to quite some Muslim parents/prospective students selecting schools, any faith is still better than no faith at all.

But complaining about the faith while in a Catholic school is just weird, you knew that going in..

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by IrishLake

If you aren't a member or follower of that religion, and you aren't offended, or don't care, then by all means - attend! I remember people I went to high school with pissy about having to take Catholic religion courses at the University of Dayton, it's mandatory. If you don't like it, or don't want to, then why not go to school somewhere else?

I understand the desire to feel included if you are of a different faith but I lean to the above.

[Senusret I]

The DC Human Rights Law applies to educational institutions in DC, public or private:

http://ohr.dc.gov/ohr/frames.asp?doc...rimination.pdf

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

The DC Human Rights Law applies to educational institutions in DC, public or private:

http://ohr.dc.gov/ohr/frames.asp?doc...rimination.pdf

It does, but it's states that it's illegal to deny access to educational institutions based on religion. It doesn't say that the university has to provide any accommodations to them, other than equal access. It doesn't say the university has to change its decor.

On the other hand, providing them a neutral conference room or classroom with no crucifixes or other overtly Christian decoration doesn't seem like a huge deal. I'm sure these students pay tuition. The school doesn't have to do anything, but it would be a nice gesture to its students.