James Goodman

@goodman_dandc

A recent check by law enforcement about two Muslim students who attended church as part of a class at Nazareth College has drawn sharp criticism from the president of the college.

"I am very troubled and indeed angered that two of our students were singled out because of their religious beliefs," said Nazareth President Daan Braveman, in an email Wednesday to the college's students, faculty and staff.

The students attended Browncroft Community Church in Penfield on Sunday as part of their Sociology of Religion course, which requires students to attend religious services that are not of their own faith.

It was the second time they had visited the church, and according to Braveman, the "students were very well behaved and appeared to be well received at the church."

But Braveman went on to say that "a church member subsequently called Homeland Security to express concern about Muslim students from Nazareth."

A State Police representative then contacted the college to confirm that the two individuals were students. Once that was done, the matter was dropped by police, said Braveman..

"A third student, who is not Muslim, also visited the church earlier in the day but was not the subject of any such report," noted Braveman.

Nazareth spokeswoman Julie Long said that State Police came out to the campus Monday for a quick visit to confirm the two students' status.

Browncroft Senior Pastor Rob Cattalani said the church welcomes anyone, and like other congregations, his church has a security team. That team includes members of law enforcement.

He said the two Muslim students got the attention of the security team because they seemed to be older and that one of the members of the team called the college to verify that they were, in fact, students.

Cattalani said that he was not aware of any call to Homeland Security or State Police.

Braveman said that he has met with the two Muslim students to reassure them of his support. He intends to discuss what happened with representatives of the church.

"This incident underscores, especially in the context of the larger environment, the importance of our work in promoting interfaith understanding and respect across lines of religious difference," said Braveman.

JGOODMAN@Gannett.com