CAIR Legal Defense Fund (CAIR LDF) announced that through legal advocacy, Muslim men incarcerated at an Oregon correctional institution celebrated Eid Al-Fitr on the proper date, according to moon sighting.
The facility had previously celebrated Eid Al-Fitr on a predesignated day – often the “nearest Friday” to actual date of celebration. This Ramadan, CAIR LDF stepped in and issued a demand letter to the facility, ordering that Muslim incarcerees have their religious rights properly accommodated.
Earlier this week, the team received confirmation from the facility that Muslims were able to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr on March 31.
“Muslims under the care of the Oregon Department of Corrections deserve the ability to celebrate their most important holidays,” said Justin Sadowsky, CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney. “We are pleased that the Department took their responsibility seriously this year.”
CAIR Legal Defense Fund is committed to the fight for the right of incarcerated Muslims to fully embrace and celebrate their religious holidays.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers an educational toolkit, called “A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” to help correctional officers and administrators gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
SEE: A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
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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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com