How Far Should Schools Go to Accommodate Muslim Students?

May 9, 2004

Source: The First Amendment Center

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/commentary.aspx?id=13311

On May 9, 2004 The First Amendment Center reported, "It isn’t easy being a Muslim in America these days. The statistics are chilling. Last year anti-Muslim violence, discrimination and harassment in the United States increased by nearly 70%, according to a report released last week by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. That’s why Muslim students in public schools are often reluctant to ask school officials for accommodation for required prayers or other religious needs. Who can blame them for keeping silent and hoping that the surge in Islam-bashing will eventually recede? But some things can’t wait. When required daily prayers fall within the school day, for example, Muslim students need a place to pray. And when Muslim girls wearing head scarves arrive at a school with a 'no head coverings'policy, they need an exemption on grounds of conscience." The article discusses how far schools must go in granting accomodation to Muslim students for prayer during class hours.