Professor who wore hijab to leave Christian College

A political science professor who wore a headscarf to show solidarity with Muslims has agreed to part ways with Wheaton Christian college.

Dr. Larycia Alaine Hawkins, a tenured professor at Wheaton College in Illinois, was initially suspended after posting a Facebook status message in December that she would wear a Muslim headscarf over the holidays to show that Muslims and Christians share one common God. She has now reached a confidential agreement with the school board that they will now part ways.

As reported by ABC News, the college placed her on leave after she expressed her religious views on Facebook. Since then, she had been wearing a hijab publicly, an act that the Christian college considered as being "inconsistent" with the established doctrinal convictions. Despite the heightening issue, Hawkins maintained that her religious position was not in any way contradicting to the college's statement of faith.

The controversy began when Hawkins stated that Muslims and Christians worship the "same God" and announced she would wear a hijab over the course of the December holidays. Her post stated that Muslims must be loved with the same dignity and respect Americans show Christians. She also invited others to join her in solidarity. Three people also joined and took pictures of themselves wearing hijabs.

The post became infamous over the November San Bernardino mass shooting incident, which the US police stated was inspired by extremist group ISIS. The college placed her on administrative leave until further discussions would ensue.

Ultimately, the school board recommended that the professor be fired from the academy, not because of the Facebook post, but because she failed to clarify the differences between Islam and Christianity during a disciplinary meeting.

According to Dailymail, Wheaton College President Dr. Philip Graham Ryken stated that he was grateful for the nine-year service of Hawkins in the institution and thanked her for her passionate teaching and community service to their students.

A joint press conference will be held on February 10 for more detailed information about the decision, but no questions will be taken.