May 8, 2019

Assalamu Alaikum,

Insha’Allah your first few days of fasting are off to a great start.

We are circulating this civil rights primer so that you will have the information you need to take full advantage of this blessed month.

Please share it with your family and friends to ensure they too are empowered to assert their rights.

 

At School

Students should be accommodated for prayers, iftars, and Eid. Requests for these accommodations should be made in writing.

Generally, the law prohibits schools from penalizing students for missing school on religious holidays; students are permitted to pray individually or within a group during the school day; and students may be permitted to leave school to attend Juma’ah prayers.

You can read more about your right to accommodations at school, what you and your parents should know if you’re experiencing bullying, and review our resource for school officials on our website.

In the Workplace

You are entitled to prayer and iftar breaks and to take time off for Eid, so long as the request is reasonable and does not cause an undue hardship to the employer. Generally, the law allows an employee to take time off from work for religious observance, so long as the employee gives the employer adequate notice and the employee’s absence does not cause an undue hardship to the employer.

Some best practices on how to request religious accommodation at work:

  • Follow your employer’s policies when requesting an accommodation. Before making your request, review your employer’s handbook and follow any procedures stated in the employee handbook regarding notification and requesting time off.
  • It is necessary you make clear that the reason you are requesting the accommodation is because of a religious belief or practice.
  • Keep a personal record of when and how your request was made and whether and how it was accommodated.
  • Be respectful when requesting an accommodation. Refrain from reciting the law, in the first instance, as most employers are willing to work with you to accommodate your requests for salat, iftar breaks, and Eid time off.

You can review our resource for employers, in case you are a manager or your managers have questions, on our website.

As always, if your reasonable requests for prayer and iftar breaks and/or Eid are not accommodated, our legal team is available to provide free assessments, advice, and assistance. You can contact them by completing this form online.

Lastly, please keep the CAIR board, staff, and volunteers in your duas during these blessed days.

Sincerely,

CAIR-SFBA