Atheist group protests Muslim prayer rooms at Univ. of Iowa

[rug]

By Emma Kinery, University of Michigan April 4, 2016

In the wake of a decision by University of Iowa officials to open two prayer rooms for Muslim students, one atheist organization — not affiliated with the university — is responding with legal action.

The group, Freedom From Religion Foundation, argues that Iowa’s decision is unconstitutional because it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by aiding one specific identity group. In addition, the FFRF is requesting that the University remove the Latin cross from the alter of the non-denominational chapel on campus.

- snip -

Gada Al-Herz of the University of Iowa Muslim Student Association tells USA TODAY College that the organization believes they have the right to have prayer rooms on campus, the rooms are open to be used by any students regardless of faith and does not believe the existence of the spaces pushes religion onto any other students.

“While we find it unfortunate that they feel negatively about about having a safe space for students on campus to meditate, we appreciate their dedication to upholding the U.S. Constitution. However, we find that the the existence of the prayer and meditation spaces at the University of Iowa to be completely within the boundaries of the U.S. Constitution, and believe that some misunderstandings are clouding the judgement of onlookers in this situation,” Al-Herz says.

http://college.usatoday.com/2016/04/04/atheists-at-university-of-iowa-protest-creation-of-muslim-prayer-rooms/

[SheilaT]

1. Is there a chapel on campus for Christian students?

A place for Jewish ones? If no other religious group has their own dedicated space then they're right to protest.

[rug]

2. There is a non-denominational Christian chapel.

The article does not mention if there's a Jewish prayer space.

[SheilaT]

3. Since there is the Christian one,

they need to not care about this. Or apply for an atheist space, which would be fine and if they do the school should give it them.

There's often a Hillel House on or near campus, which serves Jews.

[rug]

4. You're right.

http://iowa.hillel.org/

It even has a chicken soup hotline!

[Jim__]

5. "... remove the Latin cross from the alter ..."

Alter? Really? I wonder if that's on FFRF or USA Today.

[rug]

6. My guess is USA Today.

This explains Trumo.