Elie G. Kaunfer '95, the President of Hillel and a senior editor of the Crimson, says that while he doesn't feel that Harvard discriminates against him, "the fact that the University has a church in the middle of Harvard Yard, as a Jew sometimes makes me feel excluded."
Harvard Islamic Society President Mohammed N. Khan '95, says he believes the church serves mainly Protestants.
In fact, he says, the needs of Muslims at Harvard--who do not have a building like Mem Church, the Catholic Student Center or Hillel's Rosovsky Hall--are not being met. The group meets in a room in the Canaday Hall E-Entry basement.
"It's a matter of trying to obtain some sort of location for prayer space which is adequate for our needs," he says. "At Friday prayers we get about 120 people, and about 80 to 100 are students. We're very, very cramped."
But most students say their religious needs are served, either by Mem Church or by other religious groups on campus.
Erin F. Delaney '98, a Catholic, says, "[Harvard's] resources like the Catholic Students' Center and Hillel are sufficient for my needs."
And many non-Protestant students say they are not bothered by the central presence of the church in the Yard, despite its Christian symbolism.
"I've always grown up in Judeo-Christian society," says Deepti Choubey '98, who is Hindu. "It's always been a part of the establishment in which I live."