Muslims want universities to fit prayer time

The Australian ^ | Feb 25 08 | Richard Kerbaj and Milanda Rout

[camerakid400]

MUSLIM university students want lectures to be rescheduled to fit in with prayer timetables and separate male and female eating and recreational areas established on Australian campuses.

International Muslim students, predominantly from Saudi Arabia, have asked universities in Melbourne to change class times so they can attend congregational prayers. They also want a female-only area for Muslim students to eat and relax.

But at least one institution has rejected their demands, arguing that the university is secular and it does not want to set a precedent for requests granted in the name of religious beliefs.

La Trobe University International chief officer John Molony said several students had approached the Bundoora institution about rearranging class times to fit in with daily prayers.

Mr Molony said the university was attempting to "meet the needs" of an increasing number of Muslim international students, including doubling the size of the prayer room on campus.

[Uncle Miltie]

"separate male and female eating and recreational areas"

Separate, and unequal. The muslime way.

[goodnesswins]

"several students had approached the Bundoora institution about rearranging class times to fit in with daily prayers."

Why don't they rearrange their daily prayers to fit with their Class times? Or find another university!!!!!!

[Ronin]

But at least one institution has rejected their demands, arguing that the university is secular and it does not want to set a precedent for requests granted in the name of religious beliefs.

Sanity in academia? Let's hope it's the start of a trend.

[JillValentine]

Why don’t they find a university in Saudi Arabia?

Deport those who refuse to assimilate.

[magooey]

There are plenty of universities in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. If these people insist on prayer times, they can get it free at a university back home.

[expatguy]

"But at least one institution has rejected their demands, arguing that the university is secular and it does not want to set a precedent for requests granted in the name of religious beliefs."

Every University in the United States should be paying attention to this and take heed.

This is only the beginning.

Once you start down the path of accommodation and appeasement here there is no turning back!

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

[Kackikat]

If Australia caves, then we’re next.
It is the end times.
Ferrakan said today that “BO is the hope of the World.”

[ExSES]

Why don't they rearrange their daily prayers to fit with their Class times? Or find another university!!!!!!

Or..., better yet..., another religion (or none)!!!!

[Rome2000]

the prayer room

I call it the hookie-dookie room myself.

[Lizavetta]

And remember, MULTICULTURALISM means that YOU accommodate THEM.

It does not mean that THEY accommodate YOU.

And the Muslims are using the Western obsession with multi-culti crap to its advantage.

[Joe Bfstplk]

Assimilate or it’s out the gate!

[Publius6961]

Poor babies.

I wouldn't reschedule my dog's doo-doo time to accomodate muslims.

Universities have schedules. OUR universities may be able to accomodate your working your schedules around your so-called prayers.

The rest of us can just enjoy our own country on a schedule of OUR choosing.

Got that?

[The_Macallan]

Dear Offended Muslims,

You voluntarily chose to enroll in this particular University knowing ahead of time what culture you'd be living in.

The whole purpose of the "University" is to expand the world view of students beyond their own narrow interests, to educate you about other peoples and other cultures and to expose you to a variety of new ways of thinking.

In short - you are learning about our culture by your own choice. If you wish to live in a Muslim culture that abides by Muslim traditions and sensitivities - go to a private Muslim college or move to a Muslim country.

No one is putting a gun to your head to come here or stay here. If you're that offended by being at this University, go home now because you're willfully uneducable anyway.

[Mrs.Z]

<”Why don’t they find a university in Saudi Arabia?”>

Isn’t it interesting how the Saudis with all their $$$ can’t build decent universities???

I think it’s more a matter of purposeful infiltration and creation of divisions like these rather than educating their young.

[Publius6961]

International Muslim students, predominantly from Saudi Arabia, have asked universities in Melbourne to change class times so they can ...

If they can have prayers at all, they should be grateful.
In Saudi Arabia, Christians can not say prayers under ANY circumstances.

I personally embrace temporal reciprocity in that regard.

[Mr. Mojo]

The more America appeases, the more uppity Muslims get with their demands.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Let the complainers go to university in Iran.