(ATLANTA, GA – 8/26/16) The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-GA) today delivered a speech to business owners at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel about the rights and unique needs of American Muslim employees.
“We thank the EEOC for inviting Georgia’s Muslim community to educate local employers about common issues that American Muslims face in the workplace,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of CAIR-GA. “From preventing harassment to accomodating prayer, employers have an obligation to guarantee a fair and safe environment for their employees of all faiths.”
During the conference hosted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Mitchell also answered questions from the audience about whether and how businesses must accomodate Islamic religious practices.
Common issues usually revolve around the five daily prayers, wearing a hijab, growing a beard, or attending weekly Friday prayer service, all of which would almost always be accomodated by employers, CAIR-GA said.