College begins effort to fire professor for comment on Islam

CHICAGO (AP) - Officials of a suburban Chicago Christian college have begun efforts to fire a political science professor who was placed on leave after saying Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

A statement on Wheaton College's website Tuesday said Provost Stanton Jones has initiated a termination-for-cause proceeding regarding Larycia Hawkins.

The action follows efforts by college officials and Hawkins to work out their differences. The private evangelical school says those efforts have reached an impasse.

The college has said it placed Hawkins on leave last month because of statements she made on social media about similarities between Islam and Christianity. Hawkins also donned a headscarf to demonstration solidarity with Muslims.

A spokeswoman for Hawkins didn't immediately return a call seeking comment on the college's move.