August 19, 2022

As students begin to go back to school during this time of the year, CAIR-SV/CC wants you to know your rights as a student in California.

 

 

 

1) You have the right to inform others about your religion. You have the right to pass out literature or speak to others about Islam, as long as it is not done in a disruptive manner.

2) You have the right to organize student-led prayer on campus, as long as the service is not disruptive. If you need support in requesting permission to pray on campus, please reach out to our office.

3) You may have the right to attend Friday prayer. The Supreme Court has upheld the right of states to allow students “release time” to attend religious classes or services. If you need support in requesting permission to attend Friday prayer, please reach out to our office.

4) You have the right to be excused from school for religious holidays. You should inform the school that you will be absent.

5) You have the right to be excused from class discussions or activities that you find religiously objectionable. Please reach out to us for questions.

6) You have the right to form an extracurricular Muslim student group.

7) You have the right to wear religious clothing. You also have the right to wear clothing with a religious message, as long as other clothes with messages are allowed.

All public school students in California have the right to feel safe from bullying, discrimination, and harassment at school, and schools have a duty to respond appropriately when such incidents are reported.

Our legal department works to protect and extend the civil liberties guaranteed primarily by the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. We take requests for legal help for civil rights matters.

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