Home Add to Favorite Contact Submit  
           28 March, 2024


    
Category:  Press » Religion & Faith

 

CAIR: Oregon Bill Reinforces Ban on Muslim, Sikh, Jewish Teachers

Popularity:
         Views: 2709
2009-07-19 07:20:33     
Council on American-Islamic Relations

A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today joined America's Sikh community in expressing concerns about legislation awaiting the governor's signature in Oregon that purports to broaden religious freedom, but would prohibit teachers from wearing religiously-mandated attire such as an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.

[Media Advisory: Muslim students at Portland State University have planned a rally today from 4 to 6 p.m. (Pacific) at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland to express concerns about the legislation's denial of the religious rights of teachers.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said a section of the "Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act" states.

"No teacher in any public school shall wear any religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher. A school district, education service district or public charter school does not commit an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A by reason of prohibiting a teacher from wearing religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher."

SEE: Sikhs Protest School Exemption in Oregon Religious Freedom Bill (Oregonian)

National Sikh Organization Rejects 'Gaping Hole' in Oregon Discrimination Bills

The End of an Era to Keep Religious Identity Out of Public Schools.

"This legislation forces Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and others to choose between their faith and entering the teaching profession," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Those who wear religiously-mandated attire are not proselytizing; they are practicing their faith, a right guaranteed by the Constitution. Concerns about religious neutrality in schools can be adequately addressed through professional codes of conduct."

He said the legislation also raises the question of whether a Christian or Jewish teacher wearing a prominent cross or Star of David would face removal from his or her teaching position.

"Would this legislation prohibit a Mennonite teacher from wearing a bonnet?" asked Hooper. "Who will determine what is religious attire and what is a personal fashion choice?" He said a Muslim teacher who is a cancer survivor might be prohibited from wearing a scarf following hair loss from chemotherapy.

Hooper added that the Oregon legislation contradicts President Obama's recent statement in support of the right to wear hijab.

In his June address to Muslims worldwide, President Obama stated: "[F]reedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion ... That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it."

CAIR has consistently defended the right of Americans of all faiths to wear religious attire in the workplace, in schools, in courtrooms, and as customers in public venues such as banks. This year, CAIR chapters in Oklahoma and Minnesota helped block proposed legislation that would have prohibited wearing hijab in driver's license photographs.

SEE: Okla. Muslim Takes Driver's License Photo with Hijab

SEE ALSO: Credit Union Regrets Muslim Woman's Treatment

The council's Michigan office recently called for clarification of a new administrative rule adopted by Michigan's Supreme Court that, if broadly interpreted, might allow judges to demand that witnesses remove religious head coverings during testimony in their courtrooms.

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.

Specialized in: Cair - Council On American-islamic Relations - Nihad Awad - Ibrahim Hooper - Omar Ahmad - Parvez Ahmed - Ahmed Bedier - Altaf Ali - Ahmad Al-akhras - Ahmed Rehab - Explore Life Of Muhammad - Explore Quran - American Muslims - Anti Terror - Muslims Against Terrorism - Muslims Speak Out
URL: http://www.cair.com
Print press release      Bookmark this page
Related Press releases 
New Sci-Fi Novel Intertwines Cyber Technology and Religion (Popularity: ): Olympia, Wash. - April 03, 2017 -- Long-time cyberpunk fan, Len Gizinski recently wrote his first novel, “The Metal Within.” The book was inspired more than 20 years ago, beginning as an idea for a futuristic role-playing game.“The Metal Within” is the debut novel in an intended science fiction series set in a dystopian 2048, carrying age-old messages of morality and good versus evil. Cyber technology plays a key role ...
WorldReligionNews.com Holiday Infographic: 'What Do Religions Do During the Holiday Season?' (Popularity: ): San Francisco, CA - December 15, 2016 -- WorldReligionNews.com, an award-winning religion news site picked as the "2016 #1 Religious Blog" by FeedSpot, has updated their exclusive and annual holiday season-inspired infographic that informs how 24 major world religions observe the holiday season.The embeddable infographic provides a quick snapshot on the holidays as observed by 24 world religions including Hindus; Sikhs; Shintoists, Bahá’Ís; Wiccans; Buddhists; Jews; Atheists, Agnostics and religiously ...
Jesus.net Japan Launches Outreach to Bring Hope to Nation Still Hurting from March 2011 Disaster (Popularity: ): YOKOHAMA, Japan, March 7, 2012 -- Jesus.net Japan, an Internet evangelism effort to reach millions shaken and still hurting from the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident, has launched a series of seeker-friendly "stepping stone" websites in Japan in an effort to lead people to Christ and connect them with a local church. The U.S. entity and English information source for the ministry is Jesus Net Japan.Jesus.net Japan is ...
First Baptist Church Dallas Launches $130 Million Capital Building Campaign: (Popularity: ): The congregation of First Baptist Church Dallas today overwhelmingly affirmed recommended plans to proceed with a $130 million capital campaign to build an expansive new 1.5 million square foot, state-of-the-art campus, making it the largest church building program in modern history, according to church fundraising experts."First Baptist's building program is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end to better minister to and meet the needs ...
Census Bureau Launches 2010 Census Campaign With New Web Site (Popularity: ): The U.S. Census Bureau today kicked off its communications campaign to reach every resident in America with the launch of its 2010 Census website, 2010CENSUS.GOV. The website will serve as a platform for a national dialogue about how the census develops a "Portrait of America."2010CENSUS.GOV features an animated marquee that symbolizes the Census Bureau's place at the intersection of the American experience. By clicking on images representative of the population, ...


Related Business 
Oregon Council of Teachers of Mathematics (Popularity: ): The website for the professional organization of math teachers in the state of Oregon.
Muslim Marriage - partner4muslim.com (Popularity: ): Partner4muslim.com is the leading Muslim Marriage, Muslim Matrimonial, Muslim Partner and Muslim Dating site. Find out your perfect Muslim Match at partner4muslim.com.
B'Or Ha'torah - A Journal for the Wondering Jew (Popularity: ): For scientists, artists, teachers, philosophers, and students. Judaism and science, evolution, Bible codes, Jewish medical ethics, the Jewish woman and modern life, quantum physics and Jewish Philosophy.
Sikh News Network (Popularity: ): In-Depth Coverage of Issues Concerning the Global Sikh Community.
Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina (Popularity: ): Sikh temple serving the local community.
Sikh Coalition (Popularity: ): Safeguarding the civil and human rights of all citizens as well as promoting the Sikh identity.
United States Campaign to Ban Landmines (Popularity: ): Affiliate of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Mission to urge the US President and congress to join the Mine Ban Treaty and to support legislation that promotes victim assistance and demining.
Wedding Cards Online (Popularity: ): Choose from a wide variety of quality Indian Wedding Cards, Hindu Wedding Invitation Cards, Sikh Wedding Invitation Cards, Jewish Wedding Invitations and Muslim Wedding Invitation Cards, Indian Wedding Cards. One stop shop for wedding favors, Wedding Ceremony Program Cards, Thank You Cards, Place Cards, RSVP Cards, Wedding invitations and Printing Services... for All Types of Designer Wedding Cards, Indian Wedding Cards, Indian Wedding Invitations, Indian Cards.
Bracha (Popularity: ): Resources for teachers to introduce students to Jewish tradition. Includes information about Jewish holidays, stories, recipes, songs, and other activities for kids.
Sikh Arts and Cultural Association (Popularity: ): Listings of cultural events happening in the UK and related articles on Sikh culture.