(ROCKVILLE, MD. – 8/24/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today reiterated its commitment to supporting families working restoring the right to opt-out option in Maryland’s Montgomery County Public Schools and pursuing all available legal means to protect the rights of children in the coming school year.
Earlier today, a federal court issued a ruling denying a request for a preliminary injunction by an interfaith group of Montgomery County families who seek to restore the right to opt-out of curriculum related to gender, family life and relationships that the school system added to PreK – 12 English classes last fall. The lawsuit was filed by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
CAIR was not involved in the litigation but provided several pieces of new evidence—including a memorandum written by elementary school principals who objected to the school district’s stance, discussion guides that direct teachers to silence, debate and refute students who express traditional religious views, and affidavits exposing MCPS’ contradictory explanations for cancelling the opt-out.
In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“The campaign to protect the rights of parents and children in Montgomery County Public Schools is undeterred.
“As the school year begins, we remain committed to supporting and advocating for families who simply want their children to not be subjected to discussions and sensitive concepts that would normally arise in sex education courses and may conflict with their faith.
“Until the opt-out option is restored, we plan to pursue every available legal means on behalf of families to protect their rights, including but not limited to new targeted legal action, continued interfaith rallies and the release of additional internal MCPS documents.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com; 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