13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Footwashing basins at airport meet opposition

Footwashing basins at airport meet opposition

Kris Kirschner/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Outside the Hope Baptist Church on the west side is a preview of this weekend's sermon - what some might consider an unusual subject - as the sign reads, "No tax-funded footwashing sinks."

The topic refers to plans to install footwashing basins on the Indianapolis airport property to accommodate Muslim cabdrivers who practice the ritual several times a day. But Pastor Jerry Hillenburg considers the plan "a violation of the constitution."

Hillenburg lost a son to the war in Iraq. He has very strong opinions about Islamic culture and he believes the additions to the airport, although small, have a big impact. He adds, "I think no taxpayer money should be spent to establish any system of religion."

Airport officials contend the cost of the new airport facilities, including the basins, is funded not from taxpayers, but airport revenues like ticketing fees and rent from tenants. They say the basins will only be located in the new taxi staging area, not in the main terminal. Airport Authority officials say they're being put there not to accommodate religious ritual, but for safety and hygiene

To Pastor Hillenburg, it "sounds like and excuse to me."

The majority of the 172 airport cabbies are Muslim. Mamabou Dillo, a cab driver, says he cleans his feet five times a day before prayer, but "right now we have to take a bottle outside and wash off."

Another driver who calls himself Rufus and is a self-described Christian, says he has no problem with the plans. "Give them a special place to provide worship," he said.

A cleansing ritual practiced by Muslims is what one Baptist minister plans to preach to his congregation and to city officials. Hillenburg wrote a letter to Mayor Bart Peterson outlining his concerns and requesting a meeting. As of Friday, Mayor Peterson told Eyewitness News he'd not yet seen the letter.

There are two stainless steel basins, at a cost of $400 to $600 each, each of which will be placed in the men's and women's restrooms in the cab staging area.