Amid the numerous disruptions caused by the pandemic, several institutions have adapted to the new normal, including places of worship and educational institutions. However, the students of Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, are still fighting for the right to use their university’s mosque for prayer services. Even though three years have passed, the university has yet to grant access to the mosque, causing frustration and disappointment among the students and the local Muslim community.
Although the University chapel is accessible for Saturday worship, the mosque remains off-limits to the students. Despite the passage of time, the university has yet to permit its use for prayer services, causing concern among the students and the local Muslim community. The ongoing issue has raised questions about religious inclusivity and discrimination.
Voices of the Muslim Community
The Muslim community in Raleigh has expressed frustration at the university’s reluctance to allow them to use the mosque for their Friday prayers. The university has cited safety concerns as the reason for not allowing the community to use the mosque, despite the fact that the mosque has been unused for several years.
Local Muslim leaders have said that they are not satisfied with the university’s explanation and have accused the university of discrimination. “We feel like we’re being discriminated against because we’re Muslim,” said Zaid Siddiqui, a member of the Raleigh Muslim community. “We don’t understand why the university would build a mosque if they didn’t want us to use it.”
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Council’s Opinion
The controversy has also drawn the attention of civil rights organisations, who have expressed concern over the university’s actions. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina released a statement saying that they are monitoring the situation closely. “We are concerned that Shaw University’s decision to deny access to the mosque may be motivated by discrimination against Muslims,” the statement read.
The controversy at Shaw University comes at a time when anti-Muslim sentiment is on the rise in the United States. According to a report from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), there has been a 17% increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States in the past year.
Uncovering the Roots
The increase in hate crimes against Muslims is often linked to pre-existing prejudices and biases held against the community. One such belief is that all Muslims are terrorists, this is a damaging stereotype widely held by many Americans, particularly after the 9/11 attack. This suggests that Muslims are inherently violent and likely to engage in terrorism, leading to harmful prejudices against the entire Muslim community.
Moreover, the Western world’s perception of Muslims as oppressors, particularly towards women, is a common but inaccurate stereotype. The practice of hijab is often misinterpreted as a lack of free will among Muslim women. While some may be forced, it’s not always the case, and the stereotype overlooks the individual choices made by Muslim women.
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The negative portrayal of Muslims in the media has contributed to harsh judgement against them. Despite the world’s interconnectedness through social media and TV, Muslims are often depicted negatively. For example, in an episode of the TV show “Criminal Minds” aired on November 22, 2006, portrayed a Muslim as a potential terrorist waiting for a bomb to go off. Social media also tends to share more clips of Muslim violence than of peace and harmony, leading to mistrust between the Western world and Muslims, despite the religion’s message of peace, love, and harmony.
Prejudices against Muslims stem from stereotypes and misinformation, rather than a genuine understanding of Islam and its followers. Muslims are a diverse group, with varying perspectives and experiences. It is essential to strive for better understanding of different religions to promote peace and harmony in the world.