How 'bout Christian 'call to prayer' in Saudi Arabia?

"As Christianity is being excluded from the public square and followers of Islam are raping, butchering and beheading Christians, Jews and anyone who doesn't submit to their Shariah Islamic law, Duke (University) is promoting this in the name of religious pluralism," wrote Christian evangelist Franklin Graham, son of world-famed Billy Graham.

In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, Graham said that Duke should not allow its chapel to be used for the Islamic call to prayer: "It's wrong because it's a different god. Using the bell tower, that signifies worship of Jesus Christ. Using (it) as a minaret is wrong. Let Duke donate the land and let Saudi Arabia build a mosque for them. Islam is not a religion of peace."

That evoked immediately denunciation of Graham by the Muslim-American Society of Charlotte's administrator, Mohammad Banawan, who said:

"Those comments are trying to incite hatred."

Banawan added that it is wrong to criticize an entire group over the actions of a small number of extremists, no matter what their religion.

That statement raises the question: Is the percentage of the world's Muslims who are intolerant extremists small? Or does it include the majority of Islam?

The Observer also reported:

"Duke University has reversed itself and announced on Thursday (Jan. 15) that it will not allow a Muslim call of prayer from its iconic cathedral."

Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations, announced:

"Duke remains committed to fostering an inclusive, tolerant and welcoming campus for all its students. However, it is clear that what was conceived as an effort to unify was not having the intended effect."

Members of Duke's Muslim community will now gather on the quadrangle outside of the chapel before moving to its regular location for prayer, the university announced. The three-minute chant by members of the Duke Muslim Student Association was to have been "moderately amplified" by a speaker system in Duke Chapel's bell tower, the university said.

One might ask: Are there any such protections for Christian and Jewish worship in Saudi Arabia? Or in a number of additional Muslim countries?

Media wishing to interview Les Kinsolving, please contact [email protected].