Wake Forest University is rallying behind Imam Khalid Griggs, an associate chaplain at the university who found a bucket of urine in front of his office on campus last month.

The Rev. Tim Auman, the university chaplain, said that the incident was regrettable, but the aftermath fostered a sense of unity. “It is, in many ways, bringing out the best in Wake Forest students, faculty and staff by creating opportunities for conversation, education and greater understanding,” Auman said. “What speaks volumes is how the campus community has rallied in support of Imam Griggs.”

In a statement released by the university, Griggs said he appreciated the support he received “in the aftermath of the unconscionable act directed at me.”

The university released a picture Wednesday showing Griggs surrounding by dozens of flowers and cards sent to him from students, faculty members and Winston-Salem residents. “These deliveries,” Griggs said, “often cause my eyes to water, especially when students, heretofore unknown to me, hand me cards or flowers while tearfully articulating their sorrow and regret that such an incident had occurred.”

Auman described Griggs as a peacemaker and mentor and who supports Muslim life at Wake Forest. Griggs also serves as the imam of the Community Mosque of Winston-Salem on Waughtown Street.

Wake Forest University police are investigating the incident that occurred sometime between 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 and 8 a.m. on Nov. 10 when someone placed the urine at Griggs’ office inside Reynolda Hall, according to a police report. Investigators initially treated it as a breaking and entering and vandalism to property, the report said.

Wake Forest police have no suspects, said Cheryl Walker, a university spokeswoman. Police Chief Regina Lawson couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday. Griggs declined to comment on the matter.

The incident first came to light in a letter from a former student that was posted Dec. 5 to the website of the Old Gold & Black, the university’s student newspaper. The letter writer wondered why it took nearly a month before anyone knew what had happened to Griggs. “So how come you haven’t hear about it until now?” the student asked. “How come someone who doesn’t even go to Wake Forest anymore has felt obligated to make (the) campus aware because no one else would tell them?”

Continue reading →

KENNESAW, Ga. (WXIA) — Wednesday night, in a stunning reversal, the Kennesaw City Council said they plan to approve the new mosque that they rejected last week.

All five council members met in private for more than two and a half hours Wednesday at Kennesaw City Hall. They met in private with the mayor and with the city attorney.

Just after 9 p.m., they reconvened in public, and Mayor Mark Mathews announced that the council members who had voted against the mosque last week wanted to change their votes and vote for the mosque, at their next meeting, on Monday. That vote would allow Kennesaw Muslims to rent a storefront in a small shopping center just off of Highway 41 for their worship center.

Council members did not say why they were changing their votes to Yes. But they knew that the city was facing a certain, and expensive, lawsuit by the Muslims claiming that the city was violating their Constitutional rights. And the Mayor read a statement (see below) indicating that the mosque application fits with the city’s Vision and Mission.

So now the Muslims will not sue the city, and they will get their worship center.

“It’s been a very sensitive issue for everyone,” Mathews said. “Obviously, we all believe that Kennesaw’s a fantastic place to live, to work, to play, to worship, and we want to try to make sure than everybody is accommodated as best as possible.”

“It is exciting news,” said Amjad Taufique of the Suffat Dawat Center. “On a personal level, I really think that’s a very good thing that just happened, if the Council is going to go back on the decision and approve this thing. And this will give us an opportunity to invite our neighbors more, and understand us better, and be able to work together for the better community that we all live in.”

“I’m very disappointed,” said Kennesaw resident Carol Robertson. Robertson is against the mosque, but she criticized anti-Muslim picketers who demonstrated outside City Hall last week; they said they were afraid of Muslims using the mosque as a base for committing violent acts of terrorism against Kennesaw residents. Robertson said those protestors do not represent most Kennesaw residents.

Continue reading →