CAIR-NY Calls on Stuyvesant High School to Reverse Policy Eliminating Girls-Only Swim Classes
(NEW YORK, NY, 4/11/2023) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Stuyvesant High School to immediately reverse its discriminatory policy change eliminating girls-only swimming classes.
Stuyvesant High School has eliminated girls-only swimming classes, thereby forcing female Muslim students to violate religious modesty requirements. Because Stuyvesant requires a one-semester swim class by the end of sophomore year as a graduation requirement, Muslim female students are in danger of not meeting the requirements for graduation.
SEE: Muslim girls at Stuyvesant High School protest ‘immodest’ co-ed swim classes
In a statement, CAIR-NY's Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq. said:
"We are appalled at the lack of inclusivity Stuyvesant’s policy clearly demonstrates. The complete disregard of students’ sincerely held religious beliefs is disheartening and unacceptable. Muslim students at Stuyvesant should never be forced to decide between upholding their faith and earning a diploma.”
“All students have the right to equal access to education. It is the school’s responsibility to provide reasonable religious accommodation. There is no reason why the school cannot either change its mandate or return the option of the all-girls swim class."
She noted that CAIR-NY offers a booklet, called “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.
CAIR-NY supports the students demands and urges the school administration to work with Muslim students and their families to find a solution that accommodates their religious beliefs.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY 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: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com