Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Podcast Info
    • Hanania Podcast intro
    • Live Arab Radio
  • Your Views
  • Submit Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community Activism
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host “forum” to explore Mayor Lightfoot’s racist crackdown on Arab stores Activism
  • Imam Jamal Saad leads the more than 1,000 muslim attendees in payer at SeatGeek Stadium's open grounds at the Eid al-Fitr celebration May 2, 2022 in Bridgeview
    Local Illinois officials join Chicagoland Muslims for Eid Celebration at SeatGeek stadium American Arabs
  • DCEO Panel discussion on business support opportunities for all businesses including Arab American businesses, April 26, 2022
    DCEO Access to Capital: Arab American Heritage Month business workshop American Arabs
  • DCEO Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month (AAHM) American Arabs
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez addresses the gathering at an Iftar hosted by Radi Abuhashish Thursday April 21, 2022 joined by Dr. Willie Wilson and other candidates for Chicago Mayor.
    Political candidates join local Arab leaders for Iftar Activism
  • U.S. Congressional Candidate Rob Cruz in the 6th District GOP Primary election June 28, 2022
    Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress, Rob Cruz, Opens a Dialogue with the Palestinian Community American Arabs
  • Peak Rock Capital affiliate completes acquisition of Ziyad Brothers, a leading provider of brander Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot American Arabs
  • April 24, 2022 Illinois DCEO American ArabChamber event
    American Arab Chamber and DCEO host online panel to help Arab Businesses secure funding Activism
  • Oussama Jammal presents Congresswoman Marie Newman with the Courage Award during the USCMO Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner. Photo courtesy of Marie Newman Facebook Page
    Newman endorsed by major Arab and Muslim leaders Activism
  • Chicago ALderman Raymond Lopez announces his candidacy for Mayor of Chicago on Wednesday April 6, 2022. Photo courtesy of Ray Lopez announcement video
    Champion of Arab American rights Ray Lopez announces for Mayor American Arabs
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6 American Arabs

Wheaton professor says views don’t contradict Christianity

Posted on January 8, 2016September 29, 2018 By rayhanania No Comments on Wheaton professor says views don’t contradict Christianity
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Wheaton College professor Larycia Hawkins defended her actions in arguing that Muslims and Christians believe in the same God, but said she is confident she will prevail. Hawkins was suspended with pay by Wheaton College and is facing a termination hearing

By Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania covering Chicago City Hall (1976-1992)
Ray Hanania
covering Chicago
City Hall
(1976-1992)

Wheaton College Political Science Professor Larycia Hawkins said Friday that she believes the comments she made that got her in trouble with the Wesleyan Christian college are consistent with the fundamentals of the Christian faith.

Hawkins posted a statement on social media that she said reflected “solidarity” with Muslim women who are being “vilified” in American society and who need support.

On December 10, 2015, Hawkins wrote on her Facebook Page, “I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book. And as Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God.”

Hawkins also made subsequent statements she said brought her to the attention of the Wheaton College provost who said the college was suspending her with pay until the college board could review the matter.

And, she also posted a photograph of herself wearing a Hijab, a covering worn by Muslim women as an expression of religious faith and modesty. A Hijab is not a berqa, which covers a Muslim woman’s face, and it is similar to headscarves worn by Christian and Jewish woman during prayer. Wheaton College has stressed it did not take its action because of the Hijab, but has failed to publicly explain the motives or reasons behind Hawkins’ suspension.

Wheaton College has a history of racial conflict and has been accused in the past by the school’s small minority of African American students of discriminating against Blacks.

Larycia Hawkins

The Hawkins suspension drew immediate criticism from across the country and the world, questioning the Christian message that Wheaton College conveys to its students and even its claim to be a “Christian” academic institution.

“I have seen an outpouring of love and support from across the country and even around the world and it means a lot to me,” Professor Hawkins said during an interview on The Arab Daily News Radio program broadcast live on Friday morning (Jan. 8, 2015) by the US Arab Radio Network in Detroit and in Washington D.C.

Hawkins, who started a “Peace and Conflict certificate program” to help educate her students about the challenges they will face as Christians in our society, said she was compelled to post those comments, even though it has risked her losing her job.

“What I am doing is not heroic. It is not courageous. It is humans walking hand-in-hand with humans. It is walking a mile in my Muslim sister’s shoes and as a Christian, this is what Jesus teaches,” Hawkins said during the radio show.

“What I was thinking about is that I can’t teach my students what I am not willing to do myself. You have to lead by example.”

Hawkins emphasized that she remains “on Administrative leave. I have not been fired. They continue to pay my contract why I am on leave.”

Larycia Hawkins
Larycia Hawkins

She said she has faith in the process, although she is concerned about its outcome and that she will not be allowed to defend herself with the support of a lawyer as the college moves to conduct a “Termination Hearing.”

Hawkins explained the process of the “Termination Hearing” will have the Provost present the charges against her, which she can answer directly but again without legal consul before a panel of nine of her college peers.

“The panel will make a decision and make a recommendation to the president of the college,” Hawkins said.

“The president then makes his own recommendation to the board of trustees and the board of trustees will make the final decision.”

Hawkins says she knows some of the nine members of the panel.

“The decision of the panel of nine is non-binding. It may matter. It may not. It feels like a kangaroo court. I get to speak on my behalf but Wheaton says my attorneys cannot be present and I feel very vulnerable,” she explained. “I trust the members of the board to be committed to the process and I trust them to treat me with the honor and dignity of my nine years that I have been at Wheaton.”

Hawkins said she was compelled to express her comments on her Facebook Page as an effort to support “human dignity” in a Christian manner.

“Perhaps we do not understand human dignity or we don’t take it seriously … human dignity is the essence of everything. It should be the essence of our politics in the United States and it doesn’t seem to be,” she said, noting that stereotypes and how people appear impact how people who see us think.

She argued that wearing a hijab should not be considered controversial. The real issue is freedom of expression for women who are oppressed and vilified.

“Freedom of religion” is “written off” for Muslim women “who wear the Hijab,” she said.

Hawkins said she wanted her students to contemplate the issues related not just to wearing the Hijab and what it stands for but also to think about issues related to the religion of Muslims and Christianity.

“I wanted to honor my brothers and sisters in Islam. … This is not about someone at a Christian college getting attention …”

She said she didn’t want to be disrespectful to Muslim women or to Christians, and had reached out to a friend on the Muslim human rights organization, CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) for guidance on issues of respect in wearing the Hijab.

Despite the persecution, Hawkins said she was proud of her nine year tenure at Wheaton College, saying, “I have the privilege of teaching at an amazing liberal arts college. I have the privilege of being educated at elite institutions of higher education. That is a responsibility.”

But she said people cannot sit in their “Ivory towers” and just make money. “We have to bond with those who are victims in our society,” she said. “We have responsibilities to embody solidarity with the most vulnerable people in our society.”

Hawkins said she was surprised by the reaction of the college, but denied claims that she was somehow contradicting her own faith as a Christian, which she described as “strong.”

“Calling Muslims as Brothers and Sisters was seen as somehow conflating Islam and Christianity. In Christianity were refer to each other as brothers and sisters in the family,” Hawkins said.

She said the College asserted that because of her posts, she was “not being consistent with Christianity,” especially with the the college’s “Statement of Faith.”

“Things have been extrapolated from what I wrote, things like I don’t believe in the Trinity. That is not true. I have never stated that in any situation,” she insisted.

“It was a statement of human solidarity with women who are suffering, women of the Muslim religion who are being falsely vilified in our national rhetoric and across the globe.”

Listeners to the radio show seem divided over the controversy with some arguing that Muslims and Christians do not believe in the same God, and others insisting that Muslims and Christians and Jews have the same religious origins and worship many of the same Biblical prophets.

You can listen to the entire radio show by clicking here.

You can also listen to the podcast of the show by using the podcast widget below. (Or, you can go to iTunes to download the podcast.)

Read my column at Creators Syndicate on the Hawkins-Wheaton controversy.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday - May 15, 2022
  • Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings - May 7, 2022
  • Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential - May 7, 2022

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, Editors Picks, News, Podcast, Radio Podcast, Ray Hanania, religion, Social Media Tags:African Americans, Christians, discrimination, Islam, Larycia Hawkins, Muslims, racism, Wheaton College

Post navigation

Previous Post: New film explores challenges facing American Arabs
Next Post: Trump’s ban on all Muslim entry to the US plays into hands of terrorists

Related Posts

  • Gamal Gasim, associate professor of Middle East Studies and Political Science at Grand Valley State University
    Is a Military Coup d’état imminent in Yemen? Ali Younes
  • Colorado Cannabis, Golden Eagle and USS Liberty Remembrance Day American Arabs
  • ACCESS CEO announces leadership transitions American Arabs
  • Christian religious medallions
    Taybeh’s annual OktoberFest to be held Sept. 16 & 17 Arab World
  • Chicago's racist Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered more than 150 Arab owned stores closed in 2021 in a racist effort o fight street gang crimes
    Arab Daily News launches Arab American Network to fight racism American Arabs
  • Oday Salim named August 2, 2018 as National Wildlife Federation staff attorney
    National Wildlife Federation names Oday Salim as staff attorney American Arabs

More Related Articles

In Honor of Ron Grantski USS Liberty Survivor of The Six-Day War Arab World
Racist Israeli soccer fans in the firing line Arab World
Arab American Democratic Club President Samir Khalil. Khalil's Facebook Page. Arab American voters in Illinois to rally for Democratic candidates Activism
Egypt’s Brain Drain Arab World
Iraqi commentator & satirist Ahmed al-Basheer Iraqi government threatens journalists over criticism Bloggers
MLK Day in the Era of Trump Arab World

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Palestinian refugees forced to flee their homes at gunpoint by Jewish terrorist groups operating in Palestine in the 1930s, 1940s and after Israel was created on May 14, 1948. Photo courtesy of the United Nations
    Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential
    May 7, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • Chicago's racist Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered more than 150 Arab owned stores closed in 2021 in a racist effort o fight street gang crimes
    Arab Daily News launches Arab American Network to fight racism
    March 12, 2022
  • NEWS
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday
    May 15, 2022
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings
    May 7, 2022
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host “forum” to explore Mayor Lightfoot’s racist crackdown on Arab stores
    May 3, 2022
  • NEWSWIRE
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot
    April 15, 2022
  • On March 28, 2022, the American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) visited the Consulate General of Mexico in Michigan and presented its AHRC Exemplary Diplomat Leadership Award to His Excellency Fernando Gonzalez Saiffe, outgoing Consul General of Mexico.
    AHRC Presents Exemplary Diplomat Leadership Award to Outgoing Mexican Consul Fernando Gonzalez Saiffe:
    March 30, 2022
  • 03-30-22 Arab Chamber Heritage Month Flyer
    Arab Chamber to host Arab Heritage Month dinner March 30
    March 14, 2022

The Tabboun Column

The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
  • Tabboun
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Political Grapevine/The Tabboun, Friday Dec. 16, 2021
    December 16, 2021
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Chicago remains strongest Palestine voice
    September 7, 2016
  • The Tabboun: Israeli human rights violations hit
    June 30, 2016
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Himes questions troop deployment to Syria
    November 3, 2015
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Tabboun: Dearborn removes statue of racist former mayor
    September 29, 2015

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • HANANIA Arab News Op-Eds
  • Ukraine conflict gives Palestinians chance to redefine their conflict
    March 9, 2022
  • Mishmeshan PHC medical center destroyed in Syrian Government assaults. Photo courtesy of UOSSM Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations
    President Biden’s dyslexic policy in Syria is a mess
    October 20, 2021
  • Annissa Essaibi George and family
    Annissa Essaibi George faces “race hypocrisy” in campaign to be Boston Mayor
    October 20, 2021
  • Jerusalem image of Jews and Arabs walking together. Shutterstock. Courtesy of Arab News Newspaper
    Jewish Michigan lawmaker leads push for Two State Solution
    October 7, 2021
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib, book cover. Photo courtesy of Cune Press
    Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib
    November 1, 2021
  • Girl Fighters, new book on Yemen Book Cune Press
    New Book: Girl Fighters: Break Tradition in Yemen 
    October 25, 2021
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • 03-30-22 Arab Chamber Heritage Month Flyer
    Arab Chamber to host Arab Heritage Month dinner March 30
    March 14, 2022
  • “Rupture”, the psychological thriller produced by MBC STUDIOS, has won Best Saudi Film at the 2021 Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF).
    MBC GROUP’s Rupture wins Best Saudi Film at the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival
    December 15, 2021
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2022 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme