Free Exercise of Religion for Shia Inmates in NYSDOCS

To:  State of New York

Ahlul Bayt Mosque, Inc.
543 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217


PETITION: Free Exercise of Religion for Shia Inmates in NYSDOCS

Pursuant to the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of religion, we, the Shia Community of the United States, respectfully demand that our incarcerated brothers in the facilities of the NYS Department of Corrections be afforded their rights as human beings and Shia Muslims to practice their religion in a manner comparable those who practice Shia Islam in society; to wit:

1. The right to have Shia Clergy conduct religious services (i.e., Friday Jumuah Congregational Prayer Service) as other major religious denominations have their own clergy conduct their religious services;

2. The right to have Shia Clergy visit facilities of NYS Department of Corrections to provide religious counsel as other major religious denominations; and

3. The right to participate in common Shia religious services and ceremonies, which include, but is not limited to:

(a) Ramadan fasting and related food preparation requirements;
(b) Eid Holiday Services and Festivities (i.e. Eid Fitr, Eid Adha,
Eid Ghadeer, and Eid Mubahila);
(c) Muharram Services and Ceremonies;
(d) Du’a Kumayl Services; and
(e) Performance of and participation in Islamic Marriage Ceremonies

Shia Muslims who are incarcerated must be afforded equal protection under the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and be allowed to exercise their religious rights and convictions as all American citizens, without undue hardship.

To deny said rights to incarcerated Shia Muslims would be cruel and inhumane punishment, which is against Federal law and against human decency.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Free Exercise of Religion for Shia Inmates in NYSDOCS Petition to State of New York was created by Shia Community of the United States and written by Ahlul Bayt Mosque, Inc. (ahlulbaytmosque@aol.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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