The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released its updated Corrections Officer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices. The guide contains information on Islamic religious practices, dietary needs, and other aspects of free religious exercise in prison settings.
From January to the end of June, CAIR received 269 incoming complaints related to incarceree rights from community members.
SEE: CAIR’s Corrections Officer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
CAIR has updated its guides for educators and employers in recent months. In the coming weeks, the organization plans to release updated guides for law enforcement and healthcare professionals.
SEE: Guides to Islamic Religious Practices
“At the end of the day, simply knowing the basics of Islamic religious practices and making appropriate accommodations would prevent much of the litigation and advocacy CAIR undertakes on behalf of incarcerees. The guide is intended to be a tool that helps achieve this goal,” said CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor.
Saylor added: “We encourage families of incarcerated Muslims, as well as institutional chaplains, to share the guide with prison administrators. This simple step can prevent dozens of the types of complaints we see each year. While CAIR is ready to help resolve those complaints, solving an issue before it ever manifests is always preferable.”
In recent months, CAIR welcomed a decision by Alabama authorities to accept a request from a Muslim incarceree that no autopsy be performed on his body after execution, in accordance with his religious beliefs. The Muslim advocacy organization also 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.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Alabama Decision to Forego Autopsy After Muslim Incarceree’s Execution
SEE ALSO: CAIR Welcomes Md. County’s New Policy Permitting Consolidated Friday Prayers for Muslim Incarcerees
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CONTACT: CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, csaylor@cair.com, 202-384-8857; 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