The New Jersey Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today joined Pax Christi, AFSC, and Justice for All outside the Elizabeth Detention Center to call for the release of Leqaa Kordia and all those who are unjustly held in detention centers across the United States. This event also recognized the beginning of Ramadan and Lent, two distinct and important celebrations in Muslim and Christian religious traditions respectively, which coincided this year.
Kordia is currently the last protester who remains detained following demonstrations at Columbia University. Despite two court orders to release Leqaa on bond, she has remained in detention for about a year. Last week, she was hospitalized after fainting and suffering from a seizure. Leqaa was reportedly returned to detention immediately after receiving medical care.
The detention center in Elizabeth is one of a few in the area. ICE recently acquired a new detention center in Roxbury, New Jersey, despite the opposition of residents. Delaney Hall in Newark remains operational, and CAIR-NJ is working with Delaney Hall chaplaincy staff to ensure Ramadan accommodations for the first time. CAIR-NJ and partners are also donating various religious items like prayer mats, Qur’ans, religious educational books and prayer beads.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Operations Director Dyaa Terpstra said:
“Leqaa has suffered unacceptable conditions like sleeping with cockroaches. Leqaa’s family and legal team were not kept afront of her condition during her recent hospitalization, and she was chained to her bed after a seizure. This is similar to the disorganization we have heard coming out of Delaney Hall, like a spouse not knowing their detained spouse was being released and only hearing it from another detainee in the visitors’ section!”
“Last Ramadan, we demanded Leqaa’s release. We demand Leqaa’s immediate release now and not next Ramadan. We call on our elected officials to exert similar oversight as they have done in the past to ensure that detention centers are upholding the right to religious accommodations for those in their custody this Ramadan.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414, CAIR-NJ Operations Director Dyaa Terpstra, dterpstra@cair.com