Muslim community members plan to protest outside of mosque tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/3/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, yesterday sent a letter to Shaw University President Dr. Paulette Dillard urging her to reopen a mosque that has been closed since 2020.
In its letter to President Dillard, CAIR said in part:
“We have been listening to community concerns regarding the ongoing closure of the King Khalid Mosque on Shaw University’s campus. As you know, the mosque was formally closed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The school reportedly indicated in recent weeks that it needed to remain closed due to COVID rules.
“However, even after other religious buildings and activities on campus resumed, the mosque remained closed. Local community members have been in contact with us about this issue, and protests asking for the mosque to be reopened to all have occurred.
“As you know, the mosque was established with financial support from the Muslim community for the purpose of serving the Muslim community. We urge you to allow it to return to that purpose. Given that the school chapel is open to all, including members of the public, Shaw University should not keep it closed under the pretense of COVID-19 regulations. Shaw University should also not take any steps to remove or replace this sacred space.
Community members plan to hold a protest outside the mosque on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 11:30 AM.
The King Khalid Mosque on Shaw’s campus was shut down in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike most other religious buildings and activities on campus, however, the mosque remains closed. On Friday, Jan. 13, a group of worshippers gathered outside the mosque for congregational Friday prayers and to protest the ongoing closure.
Although the university said in a statement that “access to the mosque by Shaw students is coordinated through the University’s Chaplain office,” protesters claimed they were being denied access. The Imam, or Islamic prayer leader, of the group that gathered at the King Khalid Mosque said they would demonstrate outside the building every Friday until a resolution is made.
SEE: Protesters ask Shaw University to reopen mosque (spectrumlocalnews.com)
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