CAIR-California to Release Report on Bullying of Muslim Students

ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, December 19, the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) will hold news conferences in Anaheim, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Sacramento to release a first-of-its-kind report documenting bias-based bullying of American Muslim students in that state's schools.

The new report, "Growing in Faith: California Muslim Youth Experiences with Bullying, Harassment and Religious Accommodation in Schools," is based on a statewide survey of almost 500 Muslim students, ages 11 to 18. They were asked questions about their relationships with peers and teachers, as well as their comfort levels participating in discussions about Islam and Muslims.

WHAT: CAIR-CA to Release Report on Bullying of Muslim Students

WHEN: Thursday, December 19

WHERE: 11 a.m. at CAIR-Greater Los Angeles Area (2180 W. Crescent Ave., Ste. F, Anaheim); 10 a.m. at CAIR-San Diego (8316 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Ste. 203, San Diego); 10 a.m. at CAIR-San Francisco Bay Area (3000 Scott Blvd., Ste. 101, Santa Clara); 1 p.m. at CAIR-Sacramento Valley (717 K Street, Ste. 217, Sacramento)

CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo, 408.986.9874, [email protected]; CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Yasmin Nouh, 714.776.1847, [email protected]; CAIR-SD Executive Director Hanif Mohebi, 858.278.4547, [email protected]; CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916.441.6269, [email protected]

The report also shares anecdotes from CAIR-CA's case files to highlight the problems reported to the civil rights organization's offices and includes information about recent changes to the law because of high-profile cases of extreme school bullying.

Additionally, the report provides information for parents about how to request religious accommodation for their child and a list of resources that parents can use to learn more about the issues children face at school.

CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo, 408.986.9874, [email protected]; CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Yasmin Nouh, 714.776.1847, [email protected]; CAIR-SD Executive Director Hanif Mohebi, 858.278.4547, [email protected]; CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916.441.6269, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202.744.7726, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations