The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed news that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has launched an official investigation following a complaint CAIR filed last month on behalf of a 12-year-old Muslim student in Cambridge, Maryland.
The child, who attends Dorchester County Public Schools, reportedly endured harassment, assaults and faith-based bullying spanning at least March 25 through May 1 during which her hijab, or Islamic headscarf, was forcibly removed at least twice.
SEE: Civil Rights complaint filed after attack on 12-year-old Muslim teen in Cambridge
“[My daughter] is very anxious about the upcoming school year, worrying that the administration will fail to adequately protect her again,” said Latoya Gibbs, the child’s parent. “This fear and lack of faith in the school’s ability to ensure her safety have significantly impacted her mental health. We hope this investigation makes a difference and leads to systemic changes.”
“The U.S. Department of Education’s decision to investigate demonstrates that this case is being taken seriously at the highest levels of authority,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “At the center of this ordeal is a child whose rights were violated and who was repeatedly failed by a system that was entrusted by her family to provide a safe learning environment. She deserves justice, and we are seeking accountability, training and policy changes.”
She noted that earlier this year, CAIR released its 2024 civil rights report, which reveals the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history.
Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documents 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, 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; CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, csaylor@cair.com; CAIR Research and Advocacy Coordinator Farah Afify, 202-742-6410, fafify@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