UNC to host Islam Awareness Week

NewObserver.com ^

[Sub-Driver]

New motion filed in fight about Quran reading

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.(AP) - Attorneys for the organization that sued the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over a summer reading program that included a book about the Quran have filed a new motion.

The American Family Association's Center for Law and Policy said in an amended federal court complaint that UNC is attempting to push Islam upon its students. The university is hosting a number of events related to the religion this fall, the complaint said.

The group, which counts three unnamed UNC students among its five plaintiffs, earlier this year tried to block the university from administering its summer reading program.

The program also included the requirement that students write an essay and come to campus prepared to discuss the book in small groups. University officials said the program wasn't required.

A federal court denied the group's attempt to block the summer reading program, which went off as scheduled Aug. 19.

Attorneys now hope to stop UNC from administering a series of other campus events related to the Muslim faith. They include campus seminars, round-table discussions and an Islamic awareness week, scheduled for the week of Nov. 11-15.

"We were under the impression that the summer reading program was limited to the reading of a single book, and then the writing of the essay and the discussion group," said Michael DePrimo, an attorney for the plaintiffs. "There's a lot more going on than we thought there was when we first filed our complaint."

Although the complaint has been amended, much of the basis for the plaintiffs' accusations are the same. Attorneys plan to argue that by requiring the reading program and allowing so many campus activities focusing on Islam, the university is in essence trying to show the religion in a good light.

"The issue is whether or not the university is advancing the religion of Islam," DePrimo said. "And clearly they are."

The amended complaint was filed Oct. 4, and UNC has 20 days to respond. The issue will be decided in a federal district court in Greensboro.

"We will respond appropriately and in a timely fashion," said UNC's General Counsel Susan Ehringhaus, who declined further comment.

The lawsuit was organized by the Family Policy Network, a Virginia-based Christian values group

Along with the three unnamed UNC freshmen, the plaintiffs in the case are Terry Moffitt, chairman of the board of the Family Policy Network, and James Yacovelli, the group's state director for North Carolina. Yacovelli and Moffitt sued in their capacities as residents and taxpayers in North Carolina.

[A_perfect_lady]

It's simple, really. Universities are rated by personnel at other universities.

I had a prof who called it the "Lefter than Thou" approach.

[who knows what evil?]

September 11 certainly made me more aware of Islam.

The poor souls in Bali are also now more aware of Islam.

[A_perfect_lady]

Search the internet w/ a search engine for 'muslims condemn 9/11' you'll find thousands of links.

Search the internet for "muslims condemn 9/11, BUT...." and you'll find millions.

[A_perfect_lady]

Have you ever noticed that Muslims hold up Turkey like Socialists hold up Sweden? "Look, see, HERE it's not so bad... well, this is how it's SUPPOSED to be, all the others are aberrations."

Yeah, that's it. A whole list of despotic muslim and socialist/communist regimes are cesspolls but Turkey and Sweden, boy, they're the ones they want us to look at and say, "Oh, well, okay.... since that's the REAL Islam/Socialism...."

[F.J. Mitchell]

Two shining examples alright-like two diamonds, however inferior in quality, sparkling in the mud of a pig sty, would seem to outshine the most precious gems in a jewelry store.