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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 18332
[Civil]
Date Posted:
8/5/2007
6:58:29 am EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 7,424
RSS: 17,098
Comments: 29
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Footbath Plans Spur Religious Debate
Author: P.J. Huffstutter, Los Angeles Times Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Title: FOOTBATH PLANS SPUR RELIGIOUS DEBATE
When Majed Afana needs to pray while attending classes at the University of Michigan at Dearborn, the 19-year-old Muslim will usually duck into the campus library's bathroom, strip off his shoes, and awkwardly strain to wash his feet in the sink.
So when the school recently approved installing two footbaths in a pair of new unisex bathrooms, to accommodate the needs of both male and female Muslim students, the local Islamic community started planning ways to raise the estimated $25,000 cost.
But the university told them not to bother; it would pay for the footbaths.
The plan, however, has raised the ire of critics, who have been flocking to area conservative weblogs and Michigan radio talk shows to rail against the plan. They insist that such efforts are giving Muslims preferential treatment over other faiths.
"Plumbing? You must be kidding. That's an after-the-fact justification for something that is being done for the purpose of meeting a religious demand," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C.
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Community Thoughts: There are 29 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Please Read Other WV/WN Comments First | Aug 7th. at 6:08:05 pm EDT
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GreeneDragon (Palmdale, California) - Email Me
The $25K is for 2 fully equipped bathrooms including a footbath each.
If we would all just take a moment to read what others have posted before posting our own comments, both here and in the rest of the world as well, we would all be so much more effective in trying to tell people what we want to.
BTW: Islamic Law requires the feet to be washed in running water that is clean and pure, meaning no additions like oils or soaps.
Bright Blessings
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| Sorry For The Double Post | Aug 7th. at 11:41:43 am EDT
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Lora (Leominster, Massachusetts) - Email Me
My husband just reminded me: My footbath, from Target, cost $35 and it has bubbly massage functions and a whirlygig pumice stone that scrubs your feet. It plugs into the wall and is most relaxing. No building permit or professional plumbers required. You just put some warm water and bubble bath in, you're all set.
I am absolutely certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the God of Islam does not care one whit if it is a plumbed-in porcelain receptacle or if it is a $35 plastic basin with vibrate and warming functions from Target. Just like the Christian deity does not require Christians to pray at a fancy gold-encrusted altar with a genuine Bosch triptych of Lesser Heck on the wall.
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| $25k For Footbaths? | Aug 7th. at 11:34:20 am EDT
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Lora (Leominster, Massachusetts) - Email Me
Are you seriously telling me that they shopped for the cheapest contractor?
I'm spending about $25,000 remodeling two bathrooms in my house--and for that I get new tub/showers, new fancy tile all the way up the wall, new sinks, new toilets, new lighting, new plumbing, and a custom stained-glass window in one of the showers. Not to mention matching towels and curtains. And those are friggin' *whirlpool* tubs.
How expensive can it possibly be to install new footbaths? Can't they have the university sculpture students have a design contest, and have the result installed by the regular maintenance staff? Heck, an extra-large sink from Home Depot is $200--let's say it's another $1000 to install the thing and $300 for the building permit, you're still only looking at about $2700 for two footbaths. Could someone explain to me, in little words, why it costs that much?
Also, what idiot of a financial director *turns down* free money?
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| Would The Foot Baths Be There If.. | Aug 7th. at 10:15:46 am EDT
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Wytchone (LaPlace, Louisiana) - Email Me
It there where no Muslims?
Since most people would say no it would not be you have your answer.
So what if other's can use it, it would not have been there had it been for the Muslims.
Where do we stop?
It's a state school, with state and federal funds. I would not care if this was a private school but it's not.
Find More info -- HERE
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| I Call BS | Aug 6th. at 4:56:49 pm EDT
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Thora Rolandsdottir (Norman, Oklahoma) - Email Me
i dont agree with this at all. there is no reason to spend 25 grand to accomodate a few muslim students. They can find other ways to wash their feet. its ridiculous- if they get footwashing stations then i want an altar in every bathroom, along with bowls of holy water, menorahs, and tidbits of every other religion too. its all or none as far as im concerned!
and you know that if any non-muslims used them, theyd throw fits about it.
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| I Don't See A Problem | Aug 6th. at 3:40:59 pm EDT
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Ezri (Centennial, Colorado) - Email Me
It's not like they're hanging a sign on them that says MUSLIMS ONLY. I can think of several times where I would've used something like that walking all over campus.
These benefit ALL students, not just one group.
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| All The Expense Is For 2 Bathrooms | Aug 6th. at 2:42:31 pm EDT
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Shadowbear (Hillsboro, Oregon) - Email Me
Not just 2 footbaths. The BATHROOMS will each have a footbath, diaper changing station (I presume a toilet and sink) and a place for nursing mothers to be in private if they want to. Cost is much more reasonable for bathrooms than footbaths.
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| Washing Versus Wiping | Aug 6th. at 4:36:47 am EDT
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GreeneDragon (Palmdale, California) - Email Me
Muslims have CHOICES that allow them to avoid the need to re-wash their feet 99+% of the time. The footwashing is part of what is called "ablution" (physical and spiritual cleansing of the whole person) and if done correctly in the morning is good for the day. A symbolic footwashing called "wiping" is allowed. The type of footwear they CHOOSE is key (types of socks and shape/cut of shoes are important) . See the link below.
They have CHOICES. Those that say they do not are either ignorant of their own religious laws (an Islamic sin) or lying about their laws (a graver sin) .
Find More info -- HERE
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| Your Religion Is Your Problem. | Aug 6th. at 12:07:22 am EDT
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Winddragon (anderson, South Carolina) - Email Me
In the Marines way back when, a Muslim in rank got pork in his MRE and wouldn't eat it. Someone was willing to trade him for it. Me. We discussed it lightly and under different circumstances he would go without and consider it a sacrifice for religion. Don't expect to have your religion accommodated at other's expense. You weren't issued a religion.
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| Well | Aug 5th. at 10:04:27 pm EDT
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Rowan Foxfyre (Indianapolis, Indiana) - Email Me
Considering the footbath will be available to all students not just Muslim I don't see the issue. Frankly if there were a place to soak my feet for a moment or two I'd take the time to do so....
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| Good Grief... | Aug 5th. at 9:23:14 pm EDT
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Kate (Athens, Georgia) - Email Me
$25,000 for two foot baths? Since they are being blamed for something they didn't request, if I was a Muslim I'd ask for an accounting of just how the money was being spent.
And the gripers just might want to take the school to task for refusing the money.
Much ado about nothing but stupid administration decisions.
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| Reasonable Accomodation | Aug 5th. at 7:44:01 pm EDT
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Friday Scott (Middleton, Wisconsin) - Email Me
I wonder if it actually would have to cost 25K, but, really, if students are trying to wash their feet in sinks, then, it's a lot cheaper than the health costs if someone cracks their heads.
Besides, who says it has to be for Muslims only? It's not like college campuses couldn't benefit from a bit more in the way of clean feet just in general. :)
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| Accommodations All.. | Aug 5th. at 4:49:17 pm EDT
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bigcat (peoria, Illinois) - Email Me
The footbath would not be for muslims alone so by making that clear the school can make allowances without too much problem.
Although I can see the stink that arises when some kids decide to use them as urinals.
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| Who's Complaining About The Diaper Changing | Aug 5th. at 4:07:01 pm EDT
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Shadowbear (Hillsboro, Oregon) - Email Me
These bathrooms will have diaper changing facilities and baby nursing facilities in them. Is anyone complaining that only women with babies can use the nursing facilities? Diaper changing is "unclean" - it looks like the university is trying to accomodate a wide range of special needs in these bathrooms not just a "religious" need. They collect student fees from all of their students so making a few bathrooms that accomodate needs beyond the usual seems sensible to me and does not harm anyone. The moslems are no more special than the mothers.
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| Did Anyone Else Notice | Aug 5th. at 12:31:00 pm EDT
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Candleberry (Port Angeles, Washington) - Email Me
a big problem with this article? A problem that would suggest it came from the Onion or Spoof?
According to this article the University of Michigan turned down $25,000! Who ever heard of a university turning down money? All my alma maters ever do is ask for money. Anyone from UM who can tell us if they don't ask for money all the time?
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