To accommodate Muslim students, Harvard tries women-only gym hours
Abbie Ruzicka
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
"I don't mind that Harvard is trying to give space to women and religious minorities, it's just that it seems that it's not making a real effort," Wells said. "Just one that is impractical and purely symbolic at the cost of people like myself."
Wells lives near the Quad, and said the response to and use of the women-only gym hours so far has been underwhelming.
Harvard freshman Kyle Harasimowicz said women-only gyms have been successful and women-only gym hours fill the same need.
"I guess as long as the time is divvied up fairly, there should be no issue," he said.
Boston University Islamic Society President Mohamed Serageldin said he thinks women-only gym hours would benefit Muslim women at BU.
"Because the FitRec is co-ed, [a Muslim woman] would most likely be compromising her modesty. He said modesty can be compromised on both the part of the man and the woman when physical action is involved."
BU's Fitness and Recreation Center facilities manager Alex Southall said FitRec's design easily accommodates sectioning off areas for groups.
"It depends on the arrangement with the particular group, so we aren't playing favorites with space, but the FitRec does have the capability to section off for special use," he said.
Wells lives near the Quad, and said the response to and use of the women-only gym hours so far has been underwhelming.
Harvard freshman Kyle Harasimowicz said women-only gyms have been successful and women-only gym hours fill the same need.
"I guess as long as the time is divvied up fairly, there should be no issue," he said.
Boston University Islamic Society President Mohamed Serageldin said he thinks women-only gym hours would benefit Muslim women at BU.
"Because the FitRec is co-ed, [a Muslim woman] would most likely be compromising her modesty. He said modesty can be compromised on both the part of the man and the woman when physical action is involved."
BU's Fitness and Recreation Center facilities manager Alex Southall said FitRec's design easily accommodates sectioning off areas for groups.
"It depends on the arrangement with the particular group, so we aren't playing favorites with space, but the FitRec does have the capability to section off for special use," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 167
James Blazer
posted 2/25/08 @ 9:47 AM EST
Speaking for the Phallic-aly Challenged Students, we demand that we too be given special time where we get exclusive gym rights. We are tired of feeling inadequate amongst some of the other students. (Continued…)
Greg
posted 2/25/08 @ 10:09 AM EST
There's nothing quite like conforming to the least common denominator to really torpedo the entire concept of Western civilization. If Muslim women are worried about their "modesty" then maybe they should step out of the 7th century. (Continued…)
Ryan
posted 2/25/08 @ 10:10 AM EST
This is completely ridiculous. I am glad my campus has not implemented such a policy. The entire population of a school should not be forced to follow the rules set out by a minority RELIGIOUS group. (Continued…)
George
posted 2/25/08 @ 11:29 AM EST
Beautiful words but sinister intentions!
Jen06
posted 2/25/08 @ 11:44 AM EST
"We live together in one community, it only makes sense for everyone to compromise slightly in order for everyone to live happily," said Ola Aljawhary. (Continued…)
Paco
posted 2/25/08 @ 12:48 PM EST
Good progressive move, Harvard. Leading the way back to those good old days of "separate but equal" public facilities.
Why stop with re-segregating the gym? Go all out and emulate everything they do in the apartheid Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Continued…)
W.J.
posted 2/25/08 @ 2:56 PM EST
Whatever happened to separation of Church and State? Whatever happened to "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech". (Continued…)
Alexandra Balyanova
posted 2/25/08 @ 3:26 PM EST
Making separate rules and exceptions for religion has been somehow sacred for both the right and the left, the right for Christianity and the left for minority religions like Islam. (Continued…)
Vince P
posted 2/25/08 @ 3:27 PM EST
This is absolutely outrageous. Are the people who decided this totally ignorant of what is going on around the world? Accomodating the oh-so-many special needs of Muslims is the same thing as compelling the rest of society to conform to Sharia Law. (Continued…)
Feminist Student
posted 2/25/08 @ 3:37 PM EST
Why does this particular set of sexist superstitions deserve accommodation? The answer of course is religion and the way any bigotry or absurd practice wrapped up in the God of Abraham is suddenly worthy of almost unquestioning 'tolerance' and 'respect' in academia. (Continued…)
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