DRESS CODE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHAT IS A BULLY?
You have the right to wear your hijab KNOW YOUR State law requires your school Someone who purposely CAIR-San Francisco Bay Area or kufi at public school, even if there is (408) 986-9874 a dress code or uniform requirement. to protect you from harassment tries to hurt others by: and discrimination: info@sûa.cair.com If you do not wish to participate in Making them feel uncomfortable. RIGHTS school activities that would require Kicking/hi ing. Schools MUST prohibit CAIR-Sacramento AS A MUSLIM YOUTH you to remove your hijab, such as bullying based on religion, Name-calling. swimming, your school must provide Valley/Central California race, and nationality. Spreading nasty rumors. an alternative activity for you. (916) 441-6269 ATSCHOOL [email protected] HOLIDAYS AND PRAYER Schools MUST make their bullying policy public. CAIR-Greater Los Angeles Area Schools cannot penalize students for WHAT IS BULLYING? (714) 776-1177 missing school on religious holidays. [email protected] You can request the day off in advance Bullying can take place in person, for Eid holidays. CAIR-San Diego through notes le on desks or lockers, You are allowed to pray individually (858) 278-4547 LEARNING text messages, or online via email or ABOUT US or as a group during the school day. [email protected] HELP CAIR advises you to choose a time to social media. It can range from verbal insults to physical violence, and usually pray that does not coincide with school CAIR-National WISHES occurs over an extended period of time. activities or class time. (202) 488-8787 JUSTICE A school isn’t required to provide a designat- Schools MUST have a process Problems Muslim Students Face: www.cair.com/contact-us.html ed prayer room but can indicate what areas in place for investigating Pulling of headscarf or kufi. are available to students for prayer. complaints of bullying. If you Youth Pressure to convert to another religion. You may be permi ed to leave school tell a teacher or another adult for juma’ah (Friday prayer). You must at school that you are ge ing Insulting comments about Islam made in coordinate with school officials if you bullied, they have to do the classroom. wish to do this. something to help you. Physical abuse. MUSLIM STUDENTS IN THEIR OWN WORDS STEPS YOU CAN TAKE WORKING WITH TEACHERS REMEMBER WHAT CAIR CAN DO TO HELP
“I WISH people at school would Use any ignorance you encounter as an Some Muslim students have CAIR can advise you on how understand that even when they joke opportunity to educate others about your reported that teachers treat them to address your situation. beliefs. But if someone repeatedly makes BULLYING about calling me a terrorist, I don’t differently based on their faith in all forms CAIR can accompany you to meet- offensive comments about Islam, report it. SHOULD NEVER really think it’s funny.” or country of origin. ings with administrators or contact Learn more about and be proud of your faith. BETOLERATED “I WISH that people by you or your school. them on your behalf. Volunteer to give a presentation on Islam would understand CAIR can help you file a complaint if on school-sponsored diversity days. that although my school administrators aren’t taking parents raised me Know that your real friends will stand “Some people effective action to stop the bullying. Muslim, they didn’t by you. make fun of me CAIR can help connect you to make me wear hijab. for wearing the resources about your faith, which It was my choice. DO’S AND DON’TS IF YOU ARE BULLIED hijab and think I IF... you can share with administrators look weird.” DO... a teacher makes a false statement and teachers. Report to a teacher or other trusted about Islam, respectfully raise the “My friends make CAIR can help connect you to adult at school; your school has a legal issue during or aer class. fun of my name. It counseling services to deal with the responsibility to protect you. any of the following situations occur, makes me angry.” stress of bullying. report it to your parents and the Let your parents know if you are being Even if you do not wish for CAIR to bullied or know of someone who is principal: take action in your situation, it is still being bullied. • a teacher prohibits or punishes you CUT YOURSELF DO NOT OFF AND THINK important to report what is happen- DO NOT... for wearing your hijab or kufi. you MUST handle bullying by yourself. ing, especially if your situation is like “I WISH people were more Feel ashamed or embarrassed. It is not • a teacher makes fun of your name, something described above. The open about learning more your fault. country of origin, or religion, even in TALK TOA PARENT more CAIR knows about what about the real Islam and not Retaliate with violence or name-calling: a joking way. ATEACHERORANOTHER Muslim youth at school face, the the kind of Islam they show this could result in you being • a teacher suggests that you should ADULTYOUTRUST be er equipped the community can on T.V. or on the news.” punished, rather than the bully. convert to a different religion. THEYAREYOURALLIES be to solve problems.