Texas Christian University has required some of its students to visit a mosque. This is part of the curriculum for one of its classes. The College Fix reported that students who are enrolled in a world religions course at Texas Christian University this semester are required to attend a mosque service. It will come in the form of a field trip.
The trip was initially scheduled for Good Friday. The syllabus for the class stated that each student should attend the service and that the visit will be deemed as participation in class.
Other students from the department will also attend the mosque service. The syllabus described it as a "religious experience visit." Students are not required to participate in the service during the visit.
University spokesperson Holly Ellman has clarified that the schedule for the field trip has been changed as the university is closed on Good Friday. The professor of the class is already working on rescheduling the trip. The course is named "Understanding Diverse Faith Communities." It is taught by associate professor of Islamic and Religious Studies Yushau Sodiq.
Sodiq obtained his bachelor's degree in Islamic Studies and master's degree in Islamic law at University of Medina in Saudi Arabia. He earned his PhD in Islamic Studies from Temple University. He has been with Texas Christian University since 1992.
In the school's official website, the course is described as an introduction to the significant role of religion in human experience. This is done by looking at historical, comparative and methodological issues in the study of religion based on rituals, institutions, texts, figures and beliefs in major world religions.
The trip is estimated to take up 90 minutes. It will feature an address by the "leader of the Muslim community" as well as an observation of the sunset prayer.The class also has an extra credit option named "Being Muslim for a Day." With this, students can dress as Muslims or tell their family that they have converted and document their reactions.
Pamela Geller, president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative, expressed her concern over the trip saying that it seems as if Sodiq is aiming to convert students to Islam. She also stated that there are no visits to other religious places such as a synagogue, a church, a Buddhist temple or other houses of worship.
