UM-Dearborn awash in foot bath controversy
Decision to install foot-washing stations ignites arguments over issues of separation of church and state, funding
Jessica Carreras
Issue date: 6/19/07 Section: News
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The oft-stated figure for the cost of the stations has been $25,000 but, along with the necessary renovations made to the bathrooms, the cost will total $100,000 - a figure that has many steaming.
The university and proponents of the new structures claim that the stations are necessary for the Muslim students on campus who must wash their feet and hands before praying - something they do five times daily. Previously, Muslim students were seen in bathrooms propping up their feet into bathroom sinks to perform the ritual, though others simply wiped their feet with wet paper towels.
"[The administration] realized that students were more or less abusing bathroom facilities," explained student Nadia Bazzy. Two years ago, when the issue first came on the school's radar, Bazzy chaired the Muslim Accommodation Task Force, a sub-group of UM-D's Muslim Student Association. According to Bazzy, it was the administration that brought up the issue of installing foot-washing stations after noticing that sinks in the library were coming off of the walls, presumably due to Muslim students washing their feet in them.
"It was just an issue of logistics and maintenance," said Bazzy, "as opposed to this huge religious accommodation."
The discussion came on the heels of talks about the "reflection" room, which can now be seen on the second floor of the school's University Center. The push for both constructions was spearheaded by MSA and discussed with members of administration and facilities planning.
Kay Pepin, director of facilities planning, claims that the constructions serve several purposes - not just the accommodation of Muslim students. The entire project will involve the restructuring of two bathrooms in UM-D's Fairlane Center and the conversion of an area on the second floor of the UC into unisex or "family" bathrooms. Currently, there are several other unisex bathrooms on campus, including ones in the Computing Wing and the Administration Building.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 17
Tarek M. Baydoun
posted 6/20/07 @ 3:41 AM EST
Ms. Carreras has apparently allowed her own disdain for religious accommodation to enter her reporting in the article about foot baths. (UM-Dearborn awash in foot bath controversy 6-19-07)
Ms. (Continued…)
Jose A. Rodriguez
posted 6/20/07 @ 9:35 AM EST
Mr. Baydoun, I question your understanding of how much this issue has been discussed by the community. Discussion hardly caused by this story. Rather by coverage. (Continued…)
Rasha
posted 6/20/07 @ 6:36 PM EST
Just wanted to point out the Gabriel Richard Center, a Catholic outreach center known as the CAMPUS MINSTRY is located on our campus. I guess that particular accommodation is ok with you, just as long as it's not being made for Muslims. (Continued…)
Romero Montalban
posted 6/21/07 @ 12:42 AM EST
Something's afoot. They want to install two little basins in campus toilets and some people are all pissed off over it, especially they who don't want to foot the bill. (Continued…)
Bcass
posted 6/22/07 @ 7:39 AM EST
I wish I went to that school, i would bring my pet potbelly Pig and wash him in one of those footbaths, they are perfect for washing a baby pig.
Rob Switzer
posted 6/22/07 @ 2:03 PM EST
Tarek, if the MJ is a worthless racist, religionist toilet paper, then stop reading it! You validate the paper's credibility every time you do this. Nobody seems to care about it more than you do. (Continued…)
Ralph T Sacco
posted 7/26/07 @ 2:52 PM EST
None of this really matters to be honest. Muslims wont want to use those foot baths after a good friday night party on campus. I guarantee after a good night of drinking some drunk students will use them for a toilet!
tom jones
posted 7/26/07 @ 3:05 PM EST
OK if we are playing the whole religion card then I would like to see a pentagram on the floor so that the demon worshipers dont feel left out. Put a cross up for the christians, in the middle of the campus, 30 feet high and the star of david for the Jews. (Continued…)
Jeff
posted 9/25/07 @ 8:55 AM EST
I think the footbaths controversy is warranted, but I really suppose that it doesn't much matter. If for whatever reason you're against the footbaths or anything Muslim related on campus, that cross-section of the school will call you a racist and a bigot, when in reality I think religion is pointless. (Continued…)
Evan Harthlithe
posted 3/02/09 @ 12:58 AM EST
Why can't these students simply go to locker rooms and use showers instead of walking into a sink attached to a wall? There will be a time when Michigan bans the consumption of pork and beer if Muslim immigration isn't halted. (Continued…)
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