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Hamline University: Art History Instructor Dismissed for Showing Class Medieval Islamic Artwork Depicting Muhammad

Cases

Hamline University

Case Overview

In December 2022, reports circulated that Hamline University nonrenewed an art history instructor for showing medieval artwork of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in class. Hamline reportedly said “respect for the observant Muslim students in that classroom should have superseded academic freedom.” On December 28, FIRE wrote Hamline urging it to reinstate the instructor to comply with its policies committing to respect potentially “unpopular and unsettling” expression and academic freedom.