CAIR-Philadelphia

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has led the effort to challenge the constitutionality of "anti-Shariah" bills as these are introduced throughout the country, and CAIR-Philadelphia has led the effort to challenge HB 2029 here in Pennsylvania. More than 50 "anti-Shariah" bills have been introduced in 25 states based upon the model "American Laws for American Courts" (ALAC) legislation drafted by the American Public Policy Alliance (APPA). Because ALAC legislation raises significant constitutional concerns, most of these bills have died in committee without going to a vote. In the end, only five states have adopted the bills.

Workplace religious discrimination takes many forms, said Amara Chaudhry, civil rights director for the Philadelphia office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. It can be overt discrimination from a boss against an employee or from another employee. It can take the form of rules disproportionately applied to a Muslim employee. But it can also be non-confrontational and almost unseen, Chaudhry explained.

The Muslim Students Association is seeking help from the Philadelphia branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Amara Chaudhry, Civil Rights Director and Staff Attorney of the organization, said, “Truthfully, I think that this likely feels like a personal violation of student rights, and there may be some Equal Protection issues in that it appears that the officials are targeting a specific population based on minority status.” However, she said the police were otherwise staying “within the confines of the law.”

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said such programs are needed because the job of law enforcement is "to prevent things . . . and you only do that by being proactive." Moein Khawaja, executive director in Pennsylvania for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, remained skeptical. "They call it intelligence," he said. "I would call it an ignorance-gathering operation."

Federal law allows workers to match their attire to their religious convictions with few exceptions, two experts said during a presentation at the law school on Feb. 22.

Philadelphia City Council recently passed a resolution in opposition to a controversial state bill that opponents argue smacks of anti-Muslim sentiment. Resolution 120031, co-sponsored by Seventh District Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez and Fourth District Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., asks "Pennsylvania General Assembly to reject House Bill 2029 as unnecessary and inconsistent with our core constitutional principles, and affirming that the Council of the City of Philadelphia welcomes all religious beliefs, traditions and heritages, and does not entertain any concern that any foreign or religious law offers a threat to the law of the land."