(Photo: Johara Shamaa speaks during CAIR-Philadelphia’s press conference. View All Photos)
(PHILADELPHIA, PA 10/3/2024) — On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia), in collaboration with community leaders and civil rights advocates, held a press conference calling on Temple University, the Temple University Police Department (TUPD), Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), and the Philadelphia Office of the Mayor to immediately launch a comprehensive investigation into allegations of mistreatment by Temple University Police Department and reports that a Muslim woman was forced to remove her hijab while being detained by the Philadelphia Police Department.
During the press conference, impacted community members Johara Shamaa and Alia Amanpour detailed their treatment by respective police departments and during the detention process. Other speakers at the press conference included Ahmet Tekelioglu (CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director) ; Adam Attia, Esq. (CAIR-Philadelphia Legal Director and Attorney); Imam Kenneth Nuriddin (The Philadelphia Masjid); State Rep. Chris Rabb; Rabbi Lonnie Kleinman, (JVP Rabbinical Council); Philadelphia Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke; Pastor Jonny Rashid (West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship; Temple Alum) and Rev. Tamarah Lee (Philadelphia-based medical chaplain and Presbyterian minister).
WATCH the Press Conference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAoxcxEpVCx/?igsh=YXU5YnRmMnUzbTB3
At the press conference, CAIR-Philadelphia said this alleged violation of fundamental religious freedoms and personal dignity has sparked widespread concern within the Muslim community. CAIR-Philadelphia had a meeting with Temple University administrators to further talk about the communal concerns with the decision to arrest students engaged in a peaceful protest.
In a statement, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu said,
“Temple University’s decision to arrest peaceful protestors led to harm and subsequently a number of egregious violations of non-negotiable basic religious rights by the Philadelphia Police Department. While we are hopeful both institutions will take corrective steps, our office will continue to pursue every advocacy and legal pathway to resolve underlying concerns that impact hundreds of thousands of Philadelphia Muslims.”
In his statement at the press conference, CAIR-Philadelphia Legal Director Adam Alaa Attia said:
“We are here today to address a deeply troubling incident involving a peaceful protester who was subjected to a humiliating violation of her religious freedom and personal dignity. This young woman, while exercising her constitutional right to protest, was arrested and then forced to remove her hijab during the booking process — an act that is a serious defilement of her religious beliefs and practices, leaving her in a state of religious undress.”
Although CAIR-Philadelphia takes issue with some of the language and facts asserted by Temple University and the Philadelphia Police Department in their responses to the press conference, CAIR-Philadelphia has met with Temple University representatives to work on creating positive structural changes for Muslim students and community members. CAIR-Philadelphia welcomes any and all measures to ensure no one has to endure what Johara experienced, but also emphasizes the need for accountability.
Press coverage:
- https://6abc.com/post/philadelphia-chapter-cair-exploring-legal-action-following-arrest-muslim-woman/15386682
- https://temple-news.com/cair-philadelphia-to-pursue-legal-action-against-temple-ppd/
- https://whyy.org/articles/cair-muslim-woman-temple-police-mistreatment/
- https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/temple-university-police-palestinian-group-suspended-protests-20241002.html
- https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-protest-muslim-woman-hijab-temple/
- https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/temple-suspends-pro-palestinian-group-after-4-arrested-during-protest-claims-of-police-brutality/3987831/
- CBS Philadelphia Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crn3KSSY33s
- 6ABC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0SAPA2-8ss
- PHL17 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RykDhzczEbo
- KYW Newsradio Audio Clip:
BACKGROUNDER:
Following an arrest that took place at Temple University on Thursday, September 26, multiple reports have surfaced indicating that a Muslim woman, while in PPD custody, was compelled to remove her hijab, an act that infringes upon their deeply held religious beliefs, in addition to other inappropriate measures taken against women protesters. The hijab is not only a symbol of faith but also a core component of their personal and religious identity. Forcing a woman to remove her hijab without her consent violates her constitutional right to freedom of religion, as guaranteed under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, as well as her right to freedom of expression.
A young Muslim woman arrested for protesting in a public space at Temple University was forced to remove her hijab and was photographed by the PPD while detained. Not only was the woman forced to remove her hijab for her mugshot, the PPD denied her right to wear the hijab for the 20 plus hours she remained detained. Allegedly, numerous PPD officers, as well as TUPD officers, witnessed the denial of her religious rights and did nothing to rectify the situation.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Legal Director Adam Alaa Attia, aattia@cair.com; CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu, atekelioglu@cair.com, 617-401-5397.
