The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections’ new policy authorizing incarcerated Muslims at the institution to hold consolidated congregational Friday (Jum’ah) prayer services.
The development comes following many discussions and negotiations by the Maryland Muslim Prisoner Project (MMPP), which was launched in 2021 by Muslim chaplains serving prison populations, CAIR’s Maryland office, the Prince George’s County Muslim Council (PGCMC) and ICNA Council for Social Justice.
During a meeting last month, Prince George’s County Department of Corrections Director Terrence Clark, Chief of Inmate Services Division Dr. Gregory Bearstop and other corrections administrative staff met with Muslim chaplains, CAIR and PGCMC to discuss implementing the new policy, as well as other steps being taken to improve religious support services for incarcerated Muslims at the Upper Marlboro facility. Muslims make up approximately a quarter of the estimated 800 incarcerees at the facility.
“This progress marks the culmination of dedicated teamwork and many meetings, discussions and actions,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “We thank Dr. Bearstop, Director Clark and all those who worked through the bureaucracy and obstacles to help achieve this milestone. As an organization rooted in faith, CAIR is deeply committed to ensuring that the rights of all of our community members are protected. The work isn’t over, but it’s gratifying and heartening to know that Muslims will now be able to fulfill their religious obligation to offer jum’ah prayers in congregation at this facility.”
“Religious accommodations for all detainees are an integral part of their reform and successful return to the community at large,” said Imam Buheira Abdus Sabur, who provides chaplain services to Muslims at the correctional facility. “The recent changes in accommodations have filled detainees’ eyes with tears of joy as a result of the spiritual guidance they’ve received. Religious services in detention facilities have statistically shown to curtail acts of violence and have a considerably positive effect on mental health. They lower the rate of recidivism. This is BIG news, although we still have a long road to travel to ensure all detainees in the state of Maryland and across the nation are provided with proper religious accommodations.”
“On behalf of the Maryland Muslim Prisoner Project, we are very excited with the gradual progress that has been achieved,” said Imam Talib Abdus Samad, who also provides chaplain services to Muslims at the facility. “It has been a collaborative effort and many hours of dialogue. History testifies to the benefits of spiritual development and its effect on reform. Although the numbers of Muslim inmates are growing, the majority revert after being detained. With the services being provided them, it will no doubt help them begin to live a positive and productive lifestyle.”
“PGCMC is pleased with the commitment of Director Clark and the staff of the Department of Corrections to work with us and volunteer Imams Buheira Abdus Sabur and Talib Abdus Samad to accommodate the religious needs of the inmates,” said PGCMC President Jameel Johnson. “Through the support of County Executive Alsobrooks and County Councilman at Large Hawkins, we were able to get the Jumuah services started. Now, through the collaborative efforts of PGCMC, the imams and CAIR-MD, we have forged a relationship with the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections that will improve religious services to our brothers and sisters in the Upper Marlboro facility.”
MMPP also acknowledges and honors the contributions of Ashraf Muhammad, an advocate who also worked for these accommodations prior to succumbing to COVID. To God we belong and to Him is our return.
Previously, the MMPP coalition had secured permission for Muslim inmates to offer Friday jum’ah prayers but were restricted to their respective units rather than a combined service. Youth and female units receive separate prayer services as requested.
In the past, the coalition led an action at the facility after the SWAT team was called on Muslim inmates who were offering prayers.
In February, CAIR welcomed a federal court’s decision denying the government’s motion for summary judgment in Bridges v. Prince George’s County in the District of Maryland.
SEE: Court Advances CAIR’s Challenge to Maryland Jail’s ‘Christian Faith’ Test
In that case, CAIR says Prince George’s County and their contractor, the Prison Ministries of America, violated the First Amendment when they advertised a chaplaincy supervisor job for Prince George’s County Jail along with a “Statement of Applicant’s Christian Faith” that any person applying for the job needed to sign.
CAIR offers an educational toolkit, called “A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” to help correctional officers and administrators gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
SEE: A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293