(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/31/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released a new version of a template letter that Muslim parents and others in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) can use to request advance notice for PreK – 12 English class lessons regarding sex, gender, family life, and romantic relationships, and also reiterate their request to opt their children out of such teacher-led discussions.
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“Although Montgomery County Public Schools continues to force schools to deny any requests for opt-out, it is still important for parents to respectfully make their voices heard and request advanced notice so that they can make appropriate arrangements for their children while also continuing to advocate for the restoration of their right to opt-out.”
This template letter, which parents can edit to reflect their family’s specific concerns, is an updated version of a template letter that CAIR provided to parents last fall when MCPS first introduced new books into English classes and allowed students to opt-out.
MCPS canceled the opt-out earlier this year, leading to large protests, a CAIR community petition that garnered over 3,000 signatures, and testimony by dozens of concerned parents and students at public school board meetings.
On August 21, CAIR released dozens of new documents from within MCPS, along with two sworn affidavits, which show that the school district has misled families and a federal court about what it is teaching inside English classes, it’s intention to “disrupt” the views of students who express traditional or religious views, and shifting reasons for why it canceled the opt-out option earlier this year.
The Maryland office of CAIR recently released a new resource guide titled “Families’ Rights & Reasonable Accommodations in Maryland Public Schools,” designed to provide parents and students with information on navigating public school systems and participating in primary and secondary education.
This consolidated guide offers concise information including why engagement with schools matters and where families can access their child’s public school’s policies, procedures, curriculum content and more in one easily accessible document rather than searching across multiple platforms.
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 Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, [email protected]; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected], CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]