(BALTIMORE, MD, 3/7/2023) – On Thursday, March 9, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will join an interfaith group of community leaders and advocates at a news conference at the House Office Building in Annapolis, Md., to urge state lawmakers to pass House Bill 912, which is designed to support students attending public colleges and universities.
HB 912, introduced by Delegate Gabriel Acevero, requires “each public institution of higher education to adopt a written policy that provides reasonable academic accommodations for students to practice sincerely held faith-based or religious beliefs.”
The bill would allow students to “observe faith–based or religious holidays,” “participate in organized activities conducted by a faith–based or religious organization” and requires that “a student be provided with reasonable alternative accommodations for missing an examination or other academic requirements.”
A hearing on the proposed bill is scheduled for March 9 at 1 p.m. following the news conference.
WHAT: News Conference to Urge Md. Lawmakers to Support Academic Accommodations in Public Higher Education by Passing HB912
WHEN: Thursday, March 9, 12 Noon
WHERE: Maryland House Office Building, Baltimore City Delegation Room 145, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, Md. 21401
CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062
LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Last month, CAIR and community partners discussed House Bill 912 with lawmakers and during their 2023 Maryland Muslim Lobby Day. An action alert urging support for the bill has received 200+ responses.
SEE: Action Alert: Urge Your MD Lawmakers to Support Religious Freedom in Public Higher Education
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 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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com