The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed the Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) initiative to provide free to-go meal kits for Muslim students who are observing fasting during breakfast, lunch, or after-school snack times during the month of Ramadan.
GGUSD recently sent an email to parents and guardians announcing that the meal kits will be available for students from Monday, March 3, to Friday, March 28. The goal of this free meal service is to ensure “students can observe their religious practices while still having access to nutritious meals after their period of fasting ends.”
During Ramadan, Muslims who observe fasting abstain from food and water from dawn until dusk, breaking their fast with a meal called Iftar.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We commend GGUSD for its initiative to provide free meal kits to Muslim students observing fasting during Ramadan. It is important for schools to recognize the diverse needs of their communities and create environments where students can observe their faith and religious traditions without barriers.
“This initiative exemplifies the values of understanding and respect that are crucial in educational settings, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, feel supported. We hope that more school districts will take similar steps to ensure Muslim students feel seen and valued at school, not only during Ramadan but year-round.”
CAIR’s California chapter (CAIR-CA) recently released a resource guide to support Muslim employees, students, and community members in navigating school and the workplace during the month of Ramadan, including creating downloaded letter templates to assist Muslim employees and students in securing religious accommodations at work and school. CAIR-CA also sent letters to California school administrators providing education and advice on preparing for Ramadan.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’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: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi