"We need to balance the need of everyone to be heard," Illingworth said.

According to Sternin, Illingworth also denied a request made by the Harvard Islamic Society (HIS) to use amplification for its annual call to prayer event during Islam Awareness Week. HIS President Zayed M. Yasin '01 said his group had been permitted to use amplification at the event in past years.

But Illingworth said the denial was a simple misunderstanding of the group's plans. He said the request was approved once the plans were clarified.

But according to Yasin and Sternin, the group has damaged the administration's credibility with HIS.

"This is a matter of serious concern to us, and has been somewhat of a blow to the trust that many Muslims had in the administration," Yasin wrote in an e-mail message.

In a written statement posted on his personal website, Sternin has requested that the College apologize to the two groups and clarify its criteria for the use of amplification at outdoor events.

"I hope that the administration will answer the questions posed to it in a clear and timely fashion, so that all students can feel that their University upholds its principles of non-discrimination," said Rayd K. Abu-Ayyash '01, president of SAS.