ACTION REQUESTED: If you, or anyone you know, has been subjected to discrimination, please file a report at: https://www.cair.com/report/
LOUISIANA – CAIR’s Community Advocacy Department successfully helped a Muslim family whose children’s school had initially refused to excuse them from classes to attend Friday congregational prayers. A school administrator reportedly refused to excuse the absences because, based on her understanding of Islam, only men are required to attend Friday prayers—not women and children. The parents began receiving escalating truancy notices until CAIR intervened.
CAIR sent a letter to district officials and held a meeting to explain the significance of Friday congregational prayers and the necessary accommodations required. Last week, the district confirmed that the accommodation will be in place and respected moving forward. The district has also reportedly launched an inquiry into the administrator’s inappropriate comments.
This case is one of CAIR’s #CommunityJusticeMatters advocacy cases from the community. Click here to learn more about how CAIR is supporting this family and others in need of advocacy support.
END
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