As students head back to school, the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations released a new guide last week to help Muslim students know their rights.
The guide, available online and in print, covers the definition of bullying and students’ rights, as well as how CAIR can lend support.
The civil rights organization has reported an uptick in complaints about bullying of Muslim youth in recent years, particularly since the 2016 presidential election.
“Every child deserves to feel safe and supported in their learning environment, and that includes Muslim students,” CAIR Director of Maryland Outreach Zainab Chaudry said in a statement. “This guide is one component of a larger initiative being developed to eradicate bullying in schools. It is intended as a resource to educate, uplift and empower young members of our communities to maintain a proud and unapologetic Muslim American identity.”
If students experience bullying, they should document as many details as possible, report it to a trusted adult right away, and tell their parent or guardian.
CAIR can also schedule free anti-bullying workshops or offer advice at [email protected].