CAIR Supports Virginia Students Threatened with Suspension for Praying Between Classes

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/21/2017) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed support for students at a Virginia high school who were recently threatened with suspension for praying together between classes.

Officials with Amelia County Public Schools in Amelia, Va., later apologized for the “misunderstanding and miscommunication.”

SEE: Superintendent Apologizes After Student Prayer Group Halted By Principal

Amelia County Students Told Not to Pray in School

“The Constitution guarantees the right to student-initiated, student-led prayer in schools, and that right must be respected by school officials,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.

SEE: An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices

The Washington-based civil rights and advocacy organization urges community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR’s Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report      

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com