(PHOENIX, AZ, 11/12/2021) – On Monday, November 15 (9 a.m. MT), attorneys representing the Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ), RM Warner Law PLC and Price Law Group APC will offer oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a lawsuit against Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and Professor Nicholas Damask over a course curriculum that forces Muslims students to denigrate Islam and violates their First Amendment rights.
To watch the oral arguments, go to: https://www.youtube.com/c/9thCircuit
Select “Phoenix Virtual Courtroom”
SEE: Sabra v. MCCCD – Opening Brief 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Islamic group files appeal to decision to dismiss case against Scottsdale professor
“When a student is forced to denigrate his or her faith in order to pass a course, that is a clear violation of the First Amendment and the Constitution’s Establishment Clause,” said CAIR-Arizona Civil Rights Director and Attorney Ahmed Soussi. “We look forward to righting this wrong and thereby protect the religious and free speech rights of all students.”
“We are excited to present an opportunity to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to apply Constitutional protections to people of faith who attend public schools. All people of faith, whatever faith that may be, must stand together to oppose government-sponsored hostility and disapproval of religious beliefs in the classroom,” said Raees Mohamed CAIR-Arizona Board Member and attorney at RM Warner. “There’s no room to compromise this well-established principle that is a part of our democracy. Teachers are entitled to engage in lively debate of religious beliefs. They should discuss controversial topics, which is a part of academia. But it has to be done within the framework of the Constitution or it is unlawful.”
FOR BACKGROUND, SEE:
CAIR-Arizona, Legal Groups Condemn Maricopa College District’s Settlement with Anti-Muslim Professor Who Forced Students to Denigrate Islam
The Maricopa County Community College District has agreed to pay $155,000 in a settlement to a Scottsdale professor whose quiz questions about terrorism offended Muslims.
Maricopa Community College District will pay $155K settlement to Scottsdale professor criticized for anti-Islam quiz
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, aabuseif@cair.com, 602-349-1573; CAIR-National Communications Director – Ibrahim Hooper 202-744-7726 - ihooper@cair.com