New Jersey bank manager allowed to go on Hajj, Virginia workers gain right to hijab, prayer
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New Jersey – CAIR Legal Defense Fund announced that a Muslim bank manager in New Jersey will be able to attend Hajj after his paid time off request was initially denied by his employer. The bank manager contacted CAIR Legal Defense Fund when he was denied the right to take time off work for Hajj, after attempting to get approval for multiple months. Thanks to the legal advocacy from CAIR Legal Defense Fund, this bank manager obtained the approval of his paid time off for Hajj while ensuring his job position is secured for when he returns.
Goochland, VA– CAIR Legal Defense Fund welcomes the Virginia Department of Corrections announcement that they will be taking measures to ensure compliance with their screening/search procedure for religious headwear. This came after a hijabi Muslim chaplain in Virginia submitted a report to CAIR, when she was forced to expose her hair publicly while entering one of the prisons she provides religious services. In response, CAIR Legal Defense Fund wrote a legal advocacy letter to the Virginia Department of Corrections regarding this gross violation of this chaplain’s civil rights.
In reply, we received confirmation from the Virginia Department of Corrections that they would take steps to ensure that Muslim visitors could enter the facility without being forced to remove their hijabs publicly for a search. Additionally, they are preparing a memorandum reiterating their policies, which will be implemented department wide. Finally, the Virginia Department of Corrections is preparing an annual video training requirement reinforcing the screening process for religious headwear. This win not only ensures this chaplains’ ability to carry on her important religious duties but extends to protecting the rights of Muslim men and women across the state.
Arlington, VA – CAIR Legal Defense Fund announced that a Muslim woman from Arlington, Virginia, will be able to complete her daily prayers within the workplace. After she submitted a religious accommodations request through the proper channels, her employer denied her the right to offer her daily prayers, infringing on her Title VII rights. This is when she contacted CAIR for support. The CAIR Legal Defense Fund team successfully reversed her religious accommodation denial, upholding this woman’s right to pray within the workplace, while ensuring her position with the company was protected.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com