The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the introduction of a Michigan House Bill that would grant religious accommodations for postsecondary students regarding exams and other activities during significant days according to their faith traditions.
Michigan House Bill 5656 of 2024, which was introduced yesterday, would grant students in postsecondary educational institutions reasonable religious accommodations to take examinations and other activities on alternative days than holy days and religious holidays without academic penalty. The bill also states that students would have up to three days for each academic term to attend religious activities without academic penalty.
Bill 5656 was sponsored by State Representative Ranjeev Puri (D-District 24), State Representative Abraham Aiyash (D-District 9), and State Representative Alabas Farhat (D-District 3).
“We welcome the introduction of Bill 5656, which seeks to further protect the religious liberties of Michiganders of varying faith groups in postsecondary institutions,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Students seeking higher education should be free to attend communal prayers and gatherings on sacred days without fear of academic penalty.”
Walid stated that CAIR-MI plans to submit official testimony to the Michigan House regarding instances of exams taking place on Islamic holy days and how this bill when passed would accommodate Michigan’s robust Muslim community.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com