(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/8/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released a new template letter for Muslim parents in need of assistance to request a religious accommodation from their child’s school.
CAIR’s template letter is titled “CAIR’s Template Letter for Muslim Parents Seeking Opt-Out from School Lesson Plans, Activities that Contradict Sincerely Held Religious Beliefs.”
The template letter for Muslim parents to school administration in part requests:
“My name is [Insert your full name]. I am the [parent / legal guardian] of [Insert Child’s Full Name]. My [son/daughter] is in [insert grade number] grade, and my child is scheduled to [read XXX book /or/ discuss XXX topic], which would conflict and contradict with my family’s sincerely held religious and moral values.
“Thus, I request my child opt-out of this [book reading / lesson / discussion]. I choose to personally discuss this topic at home with my child as needed.
“As this child’s [parent / legal guardian], I should be able to request my child’s school provide them with a religious accommodation and excuse them from certain lesson plans, special educational programs, or other school activities that contradict our family’s sincerely held religious beliefs.
“Because there is such a diversity of views and perspectives within the American Muslim community, the sincerely held religious beliefs of one Muslim family may not always be the same as another.
“Some Muslim students may participate in a school activity that other Muslim students will refrain from. Ultimately, the decision to involve their child in these activities is at the parent or guardian’s discretion. It is the school’s responsibility to provide a religious accommodation to those families that make such a request.
“Accordingly, I hereby express my desire that my child be excused from any participation in related classes, programs, or instruction. My child will receive appropriate instruction on these subjects at home.
“I also do not consent to my child receiving any similar instruction on these subjects in after-school programs conducted by school personnel, by any outside organization, or by other students or minors.”
This template letter was drafted to complement CAIR’s November 2022 community advisory for Muslim parents who are seeking advice on religious accommodations, parental involvement in schools and parental notification.
CAIR’s advisory, titled “The Right to Participate in Your Child’s School, Education, and to be Informed,” includes sections on “The Right to Participate in Your Child’s School, Education, and to be Informed” and “The Right to a Reasonable Accommodation.”
CAIR has also developed template letters for parents to request reasonable religious accommodations for prayer and receiving an excused absence for celebrating Eid.
For more information on requesting information about how to participate and engage with your child’s school or request a religious accommodation, email [email protected], subject line: School Related Request
CAIR also offers a booklet, called “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.
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.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s Email List
https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
Follow CAIR on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cair_national/
Donate to CAIR
https://action.cair.com/a/donate
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: [email protected], CC [email protected]
END
CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected] CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]