Today, the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT), a leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, issued a letter to the Connecticut Department of Correction and facility administrators across the state, urging them to ensure religious accommodations for incarcerated Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.
“We call on Connecticut correctional facilities to take necessary steps to ensure that incarcerated Muslims can observe their faith freely and fully during Ramadan,” said CAIR-CT chairman Farhan Memon. “Every year, our office receives complaints from incarcerated Muslims whose basic religious accommodations are denied. These rights are protected under federal law and should be respected as a matter of human dignity.”
Ramadan, expected to begin on the evening of February 28 and conclude on the evening of March 29, is a sacred time of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide. Observant Muslims fast from dawn to sunset and engage in increased acts of worship throughout the month.
In its letter, CAIR-CT urged correctional institutions to implement the following religious accommodations in compliance with federal and state laws protecting religious freedom:
- Pre-Dawn (Suhoor) and Post-Sunset (Iftar) Meal Service: Providing meals at appropriate times, ensuring they are nutritionally adequate and meet halal dietary requirements, including dates to break the fast.
- Access to Congregational and Individual Worship: Permitting group prayer, particularly nightly Taraweeh prayers, and ensuring access to religious texts and materials such as Qur’ans, prayer rugs, hijabs, and prayer caps.
- Flexibility in Work Assignments and Daily Schedules: Adjusting work schedules for fasting inmates, particularly those in physically demanding roles, and allowing modified rest periods.
- Facilitation of Eid al-Fitr Observances: Allowing communal prayer and appropriate religious observances at the conclusion of Ramadan.
Federal and state laws, including the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), protect the religious rights of incarcerated individuals. Ensuring these accommodations not only aligns with these legal protections but also fosters an environment of inclusivity and respect within correctional facilities.
CAIR-CT is committed to working with correctional administrators to facilitate these religious accommodations. The organization offers free virtual or in-person training for staff on religious accommodations and provides educational resources, including “A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” to assist correctional officers and administrators in better understanding Islam and Muslims.
SEE: A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
CAIR-CT urges other civil rights and faith-based organizations to support this initiative and calls on all Connecticut correctional institutions to uphold their obligation to protect the religious rights of all incarcerated individuals.
CAIR-CT is a chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: For more information contact Chairman, Farhan Memon (fmemon@cair.com) or 203-517-6526