Professor apologizes for fiery response to Muslim student

CINCINNATI - The Associated Press

A University of Cincinnati music teacher is apologizing for his fiery online responses to a Muslim student who was critical of Donald Trump’s presidency and talked about celebrating freedom and diversity.

College-Conservatory of Music assistant professor Clifford Adams wrote a letter to The Cincinnati Enquirer saying he is "deeply sorry" for hurting feelings and offending people with recent comments he says made him "come across as a religious bigot."

He says he intended to have a "lively, provocative, scholarly argument" and didn’t expect the discussion to go outside his "What’s Hot in Popular Music" class.

His comments to the student cited "Islamic terrorist attacks" and said Muslim females are safer in America than in any Middle Eastern county, asking "how dare" she complain.

The university says in a statement that its investigation is continuing.