As’Salaamu Alaikum,
This blessed month of Ramadan, CAIR-SFBA’s legal team alongside with the rest of the staff continued its avid representation and legal advocacy this past month by representing community members impacted by issues such as religious accommodation, harassment at the border while returning to the country and employment discrimination especially as community members navigated the tricky terrain of balancing between their religious obligations and work-related responsibilities. This month, our team worked to increase awareness of workers’ religious rights during Ramadan and a culture reset at workplaces that might be actively hostile or unaware of the needs of Muslim employees.
Did you know that you are entitled to prayer/Iftar breaks and time off for religious holidays and celebrations like Eid? Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and particularly section 42 U.S.C. § 2000e(j) allows an employee to take time off for sincerely held religious beliefs as long as he or she gives notice and the accommodation does not result in an undue hardship for the employer. Where an employer is exempt from federal law, they may still be subject to California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (see Government Code sections 12900 – 12996) and to California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act (see § 51(b)).
In a few cases, CAIR-SFBA attorneys stepped in quickly to provide representation to community members seeking religious accommodations for prayer and/or fasting during the month such that they could take full advantage of the blessings of Ramadan without having to compromise on their work ethics. If your reasonable accommodation requests for prayer/Iftar breaks as well as taking the day off for Eid were not accepted during Ramadan and after, please contact us by completing this form.
Our office also received reports from concerned parents and educators hoping to work alongside us to ensure that students received appropriate consideration and accommodation to allow them to continue learning in an educational environment that is supportive and fosters their academic growth without sacrificing their First Amendment protect right to practice their religion freely. CAIR-SFBA attorneys worked with parents to protect their children from harassment related to Ramadan and prayer as well as reminding school districts of their obligations to ensure that any bullying or harassment was stamped out. Additionally, if you or your community would like to learn about how to respond to harassment and bullying in school as a target or witness, holding schools districts responsible for lack of action and possible remedies, request our Students’ Rights and School Bullying Know Your Rights workshops by filling out this workshop request form.
As a reminder, If your child, peer or friend is struggling with bullying and/or harassment relating to their religious identity or perceived characters, please contact us immediately by completing this form.
Sincerely,
Ammad Rafiqi, Esq.
Civil Rights & Legal Services Coordinator