(LOS ANGELES, CA – 07/18/2023) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Board of Trustees’ passage of the ’Recognizing Muslim Religious Observances and the Muslim Community’ resolution in a public meeting on Monday, July 17, 2023.
The joint resolution, which was drafted by CAIR-LA and members of Santa Ana College (SAC) and RSCCD, was introduced in response to an Islamophobic incident at Santa Ana College two years prior.
In May 2021, SAC Adjunct Professor Jamie McDonough was recorded making Islamophobic statements during an Introduction to Psychology lecture. Her statements, comparing the social roles of Americans in the United States to Muslims living in Muslim-majority countries, degraded Muslim women and characterized Muslim men as barbaric and misogynistic, perpetuating harmful anti-Muslim stereotypes and biases.
In response, CAIR-LA demanded that SAC conduct an investigation into the incident and take immediate corrective action. Over 500 community members and several leading American-Muslim organizations joined CAIR-LA’s call for greater accountability, including the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, the Islamic Institute of Orange County, and the Islamic Society of Orange County.
After months of advocacy, CAIR-LA secured a meeting with RSCCD Chancellor Marvin Martinez and SAC President Annebelle Nery, and a partnership was formed whereby the district and college collaborated with CAIR-LA’s legal and policy departments to jointly draft the resolution.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Civil Rights Associate Managing Attorney Dina Chehata, Esq., said:
“This resolution is the product of nearly two years of CAIR-LA’s advocacy and engagement, which involved our Muslim leaders, our community members, and our allies. It is a true reflection of the power we collectively possess to hold institutions accountable for any conduct that promotes bigotry and prejudice. This resolution is just the first step of many needed to put meaningful action behind words. We are committed to working with the district and colleges to ensure that this action is taken and that our communities are valued, heard, and celebrated
In addition to the resolution, the presidents for both Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College have committed to forming a joint Presidential Advisory Council comprised of qualified Muslim community members to guide the colleges on their diversity and inclusion goals. CAIR-LA will continue working with RSCCD and the college districts to form the Presidential Advisory Council and ensure that RSCCD makes meaningful changes in line with the resolution’s goals and objectives.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT:CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi,(714) 851-4851oreelkadi@cair.com
