CAIR Asks Wash. State Educators to Accommodate Muslim Students

SEATTLE, Aug. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) recently sent a letter to superintendents of the state's 295 school districts requesting accommodations for Muslim students who are fasting during Ramadan and who will mark the end of the religious observance with the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (EED-al-FITTER), or "feast of the fast breaking," at the end of August.

To read CAIR-WA's letter, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/3sg2qj5

During the Eid ul-Fitr holiday, Muslims offer special prayers and exchange social visits. Many communities also hold multicultural bazaars and other family activities following the prayers. Eid ul-Fitr is the first of the two major Muslim holidays. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha, comes at the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca in November this year.

CAIR-WA asked that educators prepare for both holidays by not planning exams or important assignments for those days and by allowing Muslim students to make up class work before or after their absence.

"It is important that teachers and school administrators provide a positive learning environment for students of all faiths," said CAIR-WA Civil Rights Coordinator Jennifer Gist. "We hope this letter will help educators maintain high academic standards and accommodate Muslim students' constitutionally-protected religious rights."

She urged schools to offer educational activities about Ramadan and Muslim holidays for all students.

Gist said CAIR offers a booklet, called "An Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.

SEE: An Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/education_guide.pdf

SEE ALSO: Minn. College Accommodates Students for Ramadan
http://tinyurl.com/3hse8q3

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari, 206-367-4081, or 206-931-3655, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

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