CAIR M I N N E S O T A Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota Chapter Amarita Singh Civil Rights Director CAIR MINNESOTA About CAIR-MN • Grassroots civil rights and advocacy group • Civil rights advocacy • Educational outreach • Media relations • CAIR-National established in 1994 • Minnesota Chapter 2007 • Only Muslim civil rights organization in the state • 35 chapters and offices in the US Civil Rights Cases Over 800 cases handled to-date 11% 7% 169 172 41% 150 10% 116 114 80 31% 5 Employment 41% Government Agencies 31% 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Public Accommodations 10% School 7% Other 11% Objectives • Understanding Islam and Muslims • Interacting effectively with Muslim Colleagues and Clients True or False _____F 25% of U.S. Muslims were born in the U.S. _____T Muslims worship the same God as those of the Jewish faith. _____F Only women have to dress modestly in Islam. _____T Islam is the fastest growing religion in the U.S. _____? Muslim men do not shake women’s hands. _____F Muslims must pray 6 times per day. _____F Muslims do not eat shellfish or pork. U.S. Religious Diversity • 255 million Christians • 7 million Muslims • 6 million Jews • 3-4 million Buddhists • 1 million Hindus • 800,000 Sikhs • 90% profess belief in God The Pluralism Project: Harvard University • 8% no religious One Nation Under God, City University of New York preference Belief by Numbers, New York Times Magazine 1997 Islam Today • Over 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, comprising 1/5 of the world’s population • 2nd largest religion in the world • The majority of Muslims in the world are Sunni (90%) and a minority are Shia. MUSLIMS TODAY India/Pakistan/Bangladesh: 400-450 Million Africa: 400 Million Arab Countries: 280 Million Southeast Asia: 250 Million Iran: 65 Million Turkey: 65 Million China: 50 Million Europe : 20 Million North America: 10 Million South America: 2 Million Australia: 1 Million Muslims in America There are an estimated 7 million Muslims in the U.S. Muslims in Minnesota 100,000 – 150,000 Muslims • Long established African American community • 1900s: Lebanese Immigration • 1960s: Asian and Arab immigration • 1990s: Bosnian Immigration • 1990s: Somali Immigration • 1990s: Large East African Immigration Muslims in Minnesota • Roughly 70% of Muslims in Minnesota are Somali. • About 40 mosques in the Twin Cities Muslim Girl Scouts in Minneapolis take the • Girl Scout pledge in front of the Al-Amal 1 private Islamic school in the School, the only all-Muslim school in Twin Cities Minnesota. • Several public schools where about 60% of the student body is Muslim. Masjid An Nur, Minneapolis Islam What do These Words Mean? Islam Muslim Mosque/Masjid Imam Hijab Allah Common Arabic Phrases Assalaam Alaykum Peace be upon you Wa Alaykum Assalaam And peace be upon you Allah Hu Akbar God is great Insha Allah God willing Alhamdulillah Praise be to Allah (God) Jihad Struggle Islam • Islam is not a new religion. • Islam follows in the Abrahamic tradition. • Muslims believe that all Prophets– beginning with Adam (PBUH) and ending with Mohammad (PBUH)— delivered the same message: to worship One God. 16 Six Pillars of Belief Monotheism Angels Prophets Books and Revelations Day of Judgment Divine Will of God 17 Beliefs • Prophets: Muslims believe in all the Prophets in the Old Testament, Torah, (Adam, Noah, Moses) and Jesus (PBUH). • Holy Quran: Word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the Angel Gabriel. • Day of Judgment: Muslims believe in different levels of sin. Everyone will be held accountable for their deeds. 5 Pillars of Islam 1. Declaration of faith (Shahada) 2. Prayer (Salat) 3. Fasting (Sawm) 4. Charity (Zakat) 5. Pilgrimage (Hajj) 19 2. Daily Prayers- Salat • 5 daily prayers • Ablution (washing ritual) • How do Muslims pray? Ablution - Wudu Before prayer, Muslims must rinse specific parts of their body in a specific order. How Do Muslims Pray? Why do Muslims Pray? • It is an opportunity to take time out of the day-to-day tasks to remember and reconnect with God. • A Muslim will not respond to conversation or phone calls while praying. Only a true emergency can break a Muslim’s prayer. When do Muslims pray? 1. Fajr - before sunrise •Each prayer must be completed within its 2. Dhuhr - early afternoon prescribed time. 3. ‘Asr - late afternoon •Completing prayer at 4. Maghrib – after sunset its earliest time. •Prayer times change 5. Isha - night with the seasons. PRAYER TIMES: Example June 21, 2015: November 24, 2015: Fajr 3:30 a.m. Fajr 5:57 a.m. Sunrise 5:26 a.m. Sunrise 7:22 a.m. Dhuhr 1:15 p.m. Dhuhr 12:00 p.m. ‘Asr 5:25 p.m. ‘Asr 2:17 p.m. Maghrib 9:04 p.m. Maghrib 4:37 p.m. Isha 11:01 p.m. Isha 6:03 p.m. •Each prayer must be completed before the time of the next prayer. •Exceptions: Fajr must be completed before sunrise, and Maghrib before it is completely dark. Friday Prayer – Jumma For Muslims, the holy day of the week is Friday. • Not a day of rest • On Friday, the dhuhr prayer is replaced by Jumma • Jumma is a short sermon followed by ritual prayer • Muslim men must* pray the Jumma prayer in congregation. Women are highly recommended, but not required. • Jumma normally takes place at a mosque and usually lasts one hour. Most Friday prayers will start at 12:30 pm or 1:00 pm year-round. Workplace Implications • Will wash up for prayer in the restroom • Will take prayer breaks throughout the work day • Prayer break times will differ during the year because of the change in season • Muslim men and women may leave on Friday afternoon to attend Friday prayer As an Employer/Service Provider • Being proactive about your clients’ and employees’ religious needs leads to a trusting environment. • Be mindful when scheduling meetings. • Ask: • Is there a restroom available for ablution? • Is there space in your office you can offer for prayer? • Is it Friday? 3. Fasting During Ramadan When Do Muslims Fast? How Do Muslims Fast? Why Do Muslims Fast? When Do Muslims Fast? • The Month of Ramadan: Follows a Lunar Calendar • This year: June 18 – July 18 • Lasts 29 - 30 days; Fast from dawn to sunset June 18, 2015: September 1, 2008: Fajr 3:32 a.m. Fajr 4:58 a.m. Sunrise 5:14 a.m. Sunrise 6:16 a.m. Dhuhr 12:52 p.m. Dhuhr 12:51p.m. ‘Asr 4:55 p.m. ‘Asr 4:31 p.m. Maghrib 8:29 p.m. Maghrib 7:24 p.m. Isha 10:13 p.m. Isha 8:44 p.m. Why Do Muslims Fast? Main Reasons: •It was commanded by God. •To increase one’s spirituality and strengthen one’s moral character. •To appreciate food and drink, and to develop empathy for those less fortunate than oneself. •To practice self-control. How Do Muslims Fast? Note: Muslims with medical conditions that make it dangerous for them to fast are excused from fasting. Workplace Implications Lunch breaks may differ for Muslim employees during Ramadan As an Employer/Service Provider • Be mindful when scheduling meetings, etc. • If it is the month of Ramadan • Avoid evening meeting • Avoid long meetings • Does your office send holiday greeting cards? 4. Charity • Each year Muslims are obligated to give 2.5% of their yearly savings to charity. • Distribution of wealth is an important aspect of Islam ensuring that the needy are not left destitute. 5. Pilgrimage - Hajj • If both physically and financially able, required to make Hajj to Mecca once in their lifetime. • Takes place during the first 10 days of the last month in the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hajj, 3 months after Ramadan. • About 3 million Muslims go each year • During Hajj, men wear a simple white cloth and women dress modestly, removing social, economic, and national distinctions apparent by dress. • Hajj ends with a feast, Eid al-Adha, which lasts for 3 days. Workplace Implications • Muslims may request time off to perform the pilgrimage. • The pilgrimage MUST be performed within it’s designated time (the first 10 days of the last month on the Islamic calendar). Muslim Holidays • Eid al-Fitr: Feast of Breaking Fast. Eid al-Fitr: July 18, 2015* Eid al-Adha: September 23, 2015* . Celebrated after Ramadan for up to 3 days. • Eid al-Adha: Feast of the Sacrifice of Abraham . Celebrated at the time of Hajj for up to 3 days. Greeting: “Eid Mubarak” *The dates of these holidays change each year because they are based on a lunar calendar. 38 Workplace Implications • Some Muslims may request time off for the holidays. • Some may request to come into work late after the mandatory religious service. Dietary Restrictions •Pig and pig by-products such as ham, bacon, lard, prosciutto, pork, gelatin, etc. •Some Muslims may choose not to handle pig products. •Exception: necessity •Drinking or consuming anything made using alcohol (e.g. tiramisu, white wine sauce or beer-battered fish). •Zabiha •Some Muslims only eat meat and poultry that has been slaughtered according to Islamic code. Muslims and Alcohol •In addition to the prohibition of consuming alcohol, Muslims are also forbidden from serving alcohol. • Some Muslims will go to events in bars or occasions where alcohol is being served. • Some Muslims will not transport alcohol or people with alcohol. Workplace Implications Some Muslims may not feel comfortable attending gatherings held at bars Provide pork-free and alcohol-free options at work meetings, celebrations, potlucks, etc. Muslims can eat Seafood Vegetarian Dishes Non-alcoholic Beverages Interaction with the Opposite Sex • The family unit is one of the most important ties in Islam.