Local Muslims have been trying to get a class about their religion taught at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for two years. This year they were successful.
"It's not a choice but a necessity," said Khalid Hashmi, spokesperson for the Masjid Annour Mosque. "It should be our priority to teach Islam from a historic and economic point of view so we can achieve harmony in the society."
Steve Eskildsen, a UC Foundation associate professor of philosophy and religion, studied Islam so he could teach the class this spring semester.
Twelve students took the course, which was a disappointing turnout, said Dr. William Harman, head of the philosophy and religion department. He said he hopes enrollment will improve when the course is taught again, most likely next spring.
Dr. Eskildsen said he taught the class to fill a need. "It's under-represented in our curriculum," he said.
School officials said they had no funding for a full-time Islamic professor. The department had taught Hinduism, Buddhism and minor Chinese religions, but not Islam, Mr. Hashmi said.
"Students who only know the bad things they've heard about Muslims need to know what is real," he said. "Crimes against Muslims (in the United States) were 70 percent higher in 2003 than they were in 2002."