Shaw University's mosque reopens after multiple protests

The King Khalid mosque at Shaw University reopened to the public in August after multiple protests.

Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem Corey Branch confirms Masjid King Khalid, located inside the International Studies Center on the Shaw campus, has reopened.

Months earlier, the mosque closed to the public for the first time in decades, making it only available to enrolled students. Meanwhile, the Christian chapel on campus, Boyd Chapel, remained open to the public for church services.

Muslim groups responded with numerous protests.

"Our belief is that it is because we are Muslim," said Nigel Edwards, an attorney and member of Masjid King Khalid. "This is a Baptist-affiliated university. You have one religious place of worship that's open and another that's not."

Shaw University is a private, Baptist university, so it is not legally required to accommodate other faiths.

In August, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Shaw University and the Muslim community reached an agreement to allow worshipers inside the mosque again "while negotiations over the long-term status of the property continue."

Branch confirmed the statement, telling WRAL News the mosque reopened.