Muslim Group Asks for Look Into Harassment Claims

March 24, 2010

Author: Amy Forliti

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.startribune.com/local/89028392.html

A Muslim civil rights group said Wednesday it wants the U.S. Department of Education to investigate reports of harassment in Minnesota public schools — including a report of a bus driver who routinely left Muslim students stranded in the middle of winter.

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said it has received reports in recent months of anti-Muslim incidents, mostly in the St. Cloud area in central Minnesota and all involving Somali students. One reported incident also happened in Owatonna to the south, the council said.

Zahra Aljabri, assistant civil rights director at the Minnesota CAIR chapter, or CAIR-MN, said the group has worked with the schools to address the issues, but feels the Department of Education could provide more muscle — including discipline for harassment or discrimination.

See also: Islam, Schools