UNITED STATES: In a statement released on Friday (Jan 13), the Council on American-Islamic Relations claimed that a Hamline University art history professor who displayed a 14th-century depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in a final semester class did, they didn't do that. bias in mind

The announcement, touted as the "official position" of the national organization, contradicts claims made by its Minnesota chapter's executive director that viewing the painting in class was anti-Islamic.

University administrators shared that opinion, stating that displaying the painting was "undoubtedly unpatriotic, disrespectful and Islamophobic."

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After receiving a complaint from a student, the university revoked instructor Erika López Prater's permission to teach another course in the upcoming spring semester, sparking controversy over academic freedom and Islamic representational art.

Erica Lopez Prater, a former assistant professor at Hamline University, "does not engage in conduct that meets the definition of Islamophobia based on what we know at this time," according to CAIR's statement.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council, which said it supported the instructor and urged the university to "reverse its decision and take remedial action to rectify the situation", is another Islamic organization that issued a statement in addition to those made by CAIR.

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Other organizations have also protested alleged violations of academic freedom by the university, including the Middle East Studies Association, the National Coalition Against Censorship, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and PEN America.

The students were warned in advance by the Prater that she would display the image in class and on the course, and she gave them the option of refusing to participate if they felt that depictions of the Prophet were prohibited. The artifact, a priceless medieval painting, was found in a manuscript written by a 14th-century Muslim statesman.

Both the university and the local CAIR chapter rushed to the defense of a Muslim student who complained to administrators that the image was offensive, though were unimpressed.

In a statement released Friday, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamline University said the board is reviewing its procedures.

CAIR Minnesota executive director Jaylani Hussain condemned the coach for using foul language at a press conference on Wednesday.

Hamline University senior Aram Vedatalla, who spoke with her, held back tears as he described how the display of the image in his class had hurt him. Vedatalla, head of the campus's Muslim students' union, raised concerns with the administrators.

On Thursday, a petition was released by the Minnesota CAIR chapter in support of the university and its Muslim students, saying that "the purpose of displaying the image of the Prophet (PBUH) is to incite hatred."

However, CAIR's national deputy director, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, said on Friday that the official statement supersedes any earlier statements made by the regional chapter.

Mitchell said, "We respect the local opinions expressed, but those opinions do not represent the opinions of the organization."

Mitchell reported a "positive and productive conversation" with Prater during their meeting.

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He said that because many Muslims consider it impolite, CAIR discourages teachers from displaying pictures of the Prophet Muhammad in the classroom.

CAIR's statement also acknowledged that Muslim opinion on the depiction of the Prophet in art is not uniform.

"It is important to note that some Muslim artists produced revered depictions of the Prophet in later Muslim history, and some Muslims incorporated specific images into their religious practices. We respect diversity within the Muslim community.