By Duke University announced earlier this week that it would allow the adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, to sound from their chapel’s famous bell tower. And then, just as quickly as the announcement had been made, it was revoked. Nothing short of expected — SADLY.
It wasn’t technically a big deal at first: just an announcement that there would be three minutes set aside every Friday, right before dhuhr (afternoon prayer), for the Muslim community. Not that much different from ringing church bells. And in that simple and thoughtful move, Duke was making history. Duke was acknowledging their own Muslim students with fervor, allowing for religious pluralism, and encouraging progressivism in tolerance. It seemed that, for just a moment, Muslims were being allowed a place in the community. It was just an announced three-minute call to prayer. And then it wasn’t.
After some letters expressing outrage and even threats of violence from members of the Christian community, Duke University canceled their plans. In doing so, they took a step back from religious inclusion.
I’m really not sure why anyone would oppose the call to prayer. It’s a spiritual aspect of Islam — a reminder for Muslims to embrace prayer, reconnect spiritually, and forget their worldly troubles. Or is it a call for terrorism? Maybe a religious tribute to al-Qaeda from the heart of an American university? To quote Liam Neeson, hollywood sweetheart and action movie star, from his interview on Ellen:
The call to prayer starts at 5 a.m. every morning… the first week it was a bit annoying, but by the second week, Ellen, it just gets into your soul and became the most magnificent wake-up call.
And that’s really all it is. A beautiful wake-up call.
Though originally a Christian church, the Duke University Chapel — as any other university chapel — is used as the campus’s religious hotspot. There are Hindu services, Buddhist meditations, and Muslim prayers in the basement. But, for some reason, those who opposed the adhan felt that, somehow, the Christian community and Duke’s legacy was being threatened. Because of a three-minute call to prayer.
It’s baffling, really, the things that piss people off.
Duke is still not allowing the adhan to sound. But, at least something beautiful happened. Tolerant supporters all across Duke gathered on the steps of the Duke Chapel in solidarity with the Muslim community to have their three minutes.
I'll be there because it was just a little over 50 yrs ago when Black folk couldn't even go in #DukeChapel as students despite building it.
— Candice Marie Benbow (@CandiceBenbow) January 16, 2015
Sure, people opposed.
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But they still had their three minutes.
And they were beautifully peaceful.
The #Duke community gathered in solidarity at #DukeChapel. I am very proud of my community. pic.twitter.com/TsjeCxVFZm
— Connie Ma (@ironypoisoning) January 16, 2015
Image: Wiki
Maybe it’s because those Christian people are affraid that if University’s authorities allow more for Muslim they will in time demand more and more… Instead of respecting and appreciating what they already have. All in all this is a Christian church allowing other religions to participate, and there is movement amongst more radical Muslims to make other people oblige to their rules even if this is not even their country to begin with.
“Even if this is not even their country to begin with.”
Excuse me? America was built by people escaping the Church. This is a country belonging to anyone who desires freedom, though that statement is becoming more and more hypocritical.
We have had pastors in our mosques, in Jerusalem, Palestinian Muslims allow Christians to pray in what Mosques they still have up. And vice versa. Be compassionate. Learn tolerance.
We ask for 3 minutes of compassion. It’s not much. Get your head out of your ass.
There is no moderate or peaceful islam. All you need do to understand this is to carefully read their holy scriptures, to closely observe what is going on in muslim countries and to carefully listen to the speeches of their clerics. Islam aims to conquer the whole world and to eradicate all other religions. Why should we participate in that? Muslims in the west should show some appreciation and gratitude and should not make impertinent demands after demands.
I’d rather not be awoken by a “beautiful” wakeup call. Sorry, but I agree with the decision.
Not allowing this is refusing Muslim Americans of their 1st amendment right for freedom of religion.
You have freedom of religion but you can’t impose it on others. How are you going to make others listen to the loud adhan. It is a NONSECTARIAN college.