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ISCA
urges support for Workplace Religious Freedom Act
(Washington,
DC - June 26, 2002) The Islamic Supreme Council of America,
together with other religious and civil rights organizations,
convened on Capitol Hill today with Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
and Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), urging support for the
Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA). The bill is aimed
at ensuring that people of all faiths will be protected
from discrimination in the workplace.
"In
light of the events of September 11, the Muslim community
in particular is at high risk for discrimination," said
Dr. Hedieh Mirahmadi, ISCA Director of Public Relations. "Whether
it is men who wear beards or women who choose to wear the
head scarf, their rights to do so as a mandate of their religion
should be protected."
If passed,
the legislation will strengthen the religious accommodation
provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Current
civil rights legislation requires employers to accommodate
religious practices of their employees, however, the narrow
interpretation used by the courts allows for employers to
avoid making a significant effort in doing so, often times
leaving employees to choose between their faith and their
work.
ISCA is
proud to partake in a coalition that manifests America's unity
and its diversity. The coalition for the WRFA is comprised
of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs, as well as a number
of other religious and civil rights organizations representing
a broad range of concerns and interests.
"We
thank Senators Kerry and Santorum for sponsoring the Workplace
Religious Freedom Act, and look forward to seeing it enacted
into law," said Mirahmadi.
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