(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/28/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the U.S. Department of State to condemn a ruling by the top European Union allowing employers to ban employees from wearing signs of religious belief such as an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.
That ruling Tuesday by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) involved an employee of a Belgian municipality who was told she could not wear hijab at work.
CAIR contends that the court’s decision meets the United States International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) definition of violation of religious rights and thus warrants strong condemnation from the U.S. government.
IRFA states in part: “The following shall be the policy of the United States: (A) To condemn violations of religious freedom, and to promote, and to assist other governments in the promotion of, the fundamental right to freedom of religion…”
In a statement, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said:
“The Court of Justice of the European Union has trampled on the basic principles of religious freedom by denying Muslim women the right to wear a hijab at work. This decision and past rulings in European nations clearly target Muslims and seek to eliminate expressions of Islam from public spaces.
“We call on the State Department to condemn this decision, which runs afoul of the principles laid out in the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act. People of all faiths who have clothing or symbols associated with their sincerely-held religious beliefs, including members of Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Christian communities, must be allowed to wear those articles of clothing or symbols in the workplace.”
Earlier this year, CAIR sent a letter Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting the State Department condemn the French government’s Council of State’s recent decision to uphold the France’s ban on abayas worn by some Muslim students in schools.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” to help employers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the workplace.
CAIR: An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com