(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/12/16) – On Monday, February 15, representatives of the Minnesota chapter and Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold a live-streaming news conference in Wisconsin to discuss meetings scheduled this weekend with Muslim workers fired from an Ariens manufacturing plant in that state after the company changed its policy on accommodating prayer in the workplace.
CAIR’s Wisconsin news conference will be live-streamed on Facebook at:  www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
[NOTE: Media professionals may submit questions in advance to be answered by news conference participants to: ihooper@cair.com ]       Â
WHAT: CAIR Update on Meetings with Wisconsin Muslim Workers Fired from Ariens Plant Over Prayer Issue
WHEN: Monday, February 15, 10 a.m. (Central)
WHERE: Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay, WI 54313
CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-406-0070,jhussein@cair.com; CAIR Civil Rights Staff Attorney Maha Sayed, 202-640-4935, msayed@cair.com
Seven Muslim workers at the Ariens plant in Brillion, Wis., were fired after the company changed its policy to only allow prayers during scheduled breaks, not when the prayers must be made according to Islamic beliefs. Before the policy change, the Somali Muslim workers were able to leave the production line to pray two of the five daily prayers. A number of other Muslim workers have resigned as a result of the policy change.
SEE: Workers Lose Jobs Over Prayer Break Disputes at Cargill and Ariens
Video: CAIR Calls on Wisc. Firm Ariens to Allow Prayers Pending Resolution of Accommodation Issue
CAIR recently welcomed a change in policy allowing Muslim workers fired in a recent dispute over accommodation of prayers at a Cargill meat processing plant in Colorado to reapply for their positions 30 days after their termination date, instead of the previous 180-day period. CAIR has been retained to represent the majority of the workers fired from the plant.
CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” to help corporate managers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
SEE: An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices Â
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com