Freshmen sue university over required reading of Islamic book
By The Associated Press
07.23.02
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Three students and a conservative Christian organization have filed a lawsuit against the University of North Carolina, saying the required reading of a book about Islam is unconstitutional.
The suit, filed yesterday in federal district court in Greensboro, says the university is infringing on students' First Amendment right to religious freedom by requiring them to read Approaching the Qur'n: The Early Revelations.
As part of an annual summer reading program, all incoming freshmen this year have been told to read the book, which includes 35 translated sections of the holy book of Islam. They are also expected to attend discussion sessions about it Aug. 19.
Last week, UNC amended its policy to say students don't have to read the book if it offends them — but still requires them to write a one-page paper stating their objections.
The lawsuit was filed by the Virginia-based Family Policy Network and three UNC freshmen identified only as John Doe No. 1, an evangelical Christian, John Doe No. 2, a Catholic, and Jane Roe, who is Jewish.
Joe Glover, president of the Family Policy Network, said the lawsuit aims to halt UNC's program for now.
"Our long-term goal is to make sure the precedent is affirmed that you cannot force people to take a class about a religious text at a state university," he said. "I think a lot of universities are interested to see how this turns out."
Named as defendants are UNC Chancellor James Moeser and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Learning Cynthia Wolf Johnson. Moeser and Johnson were out of town yesterday. A spokesman said university officials would not comment on pending litigation.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs say they'll ask the court to grant an injunction before the discussion groups meet.
Steve Crampton, chief counsel for Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association Center for Law & Policy, helped prepare the lawsuit for the group.
Crampton said the book, translated by Haverford College Professor Michael Sells, is a one-sided view of Islam that omits passages about killing "infidels." It includes about one-third of the "suras," or sections of the Quran.
"It is in effect Islamic propaganda they are forcing the students to study," he said.
In e-mails to critics, Moeser said the university wants students to gain insight into a religion followed by a billion people around the world. He said there was no penalty for students who don't participate in the reading.
"We offer the summer reading this year in that spirit of seeking understanding — not in advocacy of Islam over Christianity or Judaism or any other religion," he wrote.
Related
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House budget panel votes 64-10 to bar use of public funds to teach about Islam unless school gives equal time to 'all known religions.'
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