Muslim Inmates File Federal Lawsuit Against Oregon Prisons Over Religious Discrimination
The Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) is facing a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of three Muslim inmates, who allege that they have been denied religious accommodations routinely granted to inmates of other faiths.
The legal action, brought by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, accuses ODOC of violating both constitutional protections and federal statutes by failing to meet the religious needs of Amir’Whadi Hassan, Niaz Khoshnaw, and Hamza Jama.
According to the lawsuit, ODOC has not provided certified halal meals to the inmates and has prevented them from observing two major Islamic holidays—Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha—through communal prayer and family visitations. The suit draws attention to unequal treatment, pointing out that Christian, Jewish, and Native American inmates are allowed to celebrate religious holidays with corresponding meals and extended visitation rights.
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Gadeir Abbas, CAIR’s Deputy Litigation Director, stated in the complaint that “this case is about equal access to and accommodations for religious practice. Oregon prison officials have no justification for denying Muslim men the ability to eat in accordance with their faith or celebrate their holiest days as other religious communities are permitted to do.”
Aya Beydoun, a staff attorney at CAIR, echoed those concerns. She emphasized that denying religious meals and family visits for Eid—while allowing similar privileges to other religious groups—amounts to a breach of constitutional rights and federal law.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to compel ODOC to provide daily halal-certified meals that meet nutritional standards, adopt food-handling practices to avoid contamination with pork products, and offer equivalent holiday accommodations—including visitation and group prayer—to all Muslim inmates who request them.
When contacted by KATU News, the Oregon Department of Corrections declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing litigation.
Source: Agencies
