Christian college professor on leave after comparing Christianity and Islam

CHICAGO (AP) — A professor at a suburban Chicago Christian college who is wearing a headscarf to demonstrate solidarity with Muslims has been placed on administrative leave...

CHICAGO (AP) — A professor at a suburban Chicago Christian college who is wearing a headscarf to demonstrate solidarity with Muslims has been placed on administrative leave.

Larycia Hawkins, who is a Christian, is an associate professor of political science at Wheaton College, a private evangelical school west of Chicago.

The college said in a statement Tuesday that it placed her on leave because of statements she made on social media about similarities between Islam and Christianity. The college said it had “no stated position” on the wearing of headscarves as a gesture of care and concern.

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Students are rallying online to defend her and call for her to be reinstated.

Hawkins did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment.

The college also did not return messages seeking more information.

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