Teaching Children About Their Religious Rights

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution reads, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Sadly, we are living in a time and place where the blessings of liberty are constantly being tested. Policies, both foreign and domestic, often unjustly target Muslims and other marginalized communities. This makes it essential for families to understand and defend the freedoms guaranteed to them as citizens of this land. One of the most foundational protections in the United States is the right to religious liberty preserved in the First Amendment of the Constitution. This amendment prohibits the government from enforcing one religion or interfering with individuals’ free exercise of their faith. Muslim parents and educators must teach children about this right, so they are prepared to deal with any discrimination they may encounter. Helping young people understand that they have the legal right to pray, wear religious attire, speak openly about their beliefs, and request accommodation in schools and public spaces will allow them to navigate society with confidence and dignity. These conversations can begin early, using age-appropriate language and real-life examples, so that children grow up knowing that the practice of their faith is protected even in a society where they are a religious minority.

One powerful example of a Muslim American standing up for his religious rights is the case of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. On April 28, 1967, when Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, was drafted into the U.S. Army to fight in the Vietnam War, he refused induction on the basis of his Islamic beliefs. His stance cost him his heavyweight title and nearly his freedom, but it also sparked a national conversation about religious liberty and conscientious objection. In 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously overturned his conviction, affirming that his beliefs were sincerely held and protected under the Constitution¹. Ali’s courage reminds us that religious freedom is a lived right that must sometimes be defended through great personal sacrifice.

There are many other instances where Muslims have asserted their rights in public arenas. From military service to international sports, Muslims have challenged regulations that sought to exclude them because of their beliefs. Muslim women, in particular, have prevailed against policies seeking to ban the hijab, affirming their right to dress in accordance with their faith while participating fully in society. Civil rights organizations have also played a crucial role in defending these freedoms as they work to end Islamophobia, advocate for accommodations, and ensure that Muslims are treated with dignity and respect. These ongoing efforts show children that their rights are both protected by law and actively defended by people committed to justice.

Organizations Defending Muslim Rights

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has become a leading voice for Muslim civil liberties in the United States. Its national headquarters is strategically located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and it also maintains chapters and offices across the country. These offices employ civil rights attorneys, chaplains, political analysts, and activists who work to ensure that Muslims can practice their faith freely in their communities. Since 1994, CAIR has been defending the rights of American Muslims and speaking out against discrimination and Islamophobia. The organization has also developed numerous resources to help Muslims understand and protect their rights. Its “Know Your Rights” materials are available in a wide range of languages, including English, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Farsi, Somali, and Urdu, and can be downloaded in PDF format from CAIR’s website.

CAIR recognizes that awareness of religious rights must begin at an early age. Local chapters host educational workshops, internship programs, webinars, and leadership development initiatives designed specifically for youth. According to their website, these offer children “the training, skills and experience for positive activism, to empower them to guide their communities from the margin to the mainstream and to foster a healthy American Muslim identity that fits comfortably within pluralistic American society.²” CAIR has also developed several booklets and guides that benefit Muslim youth, including CAIR’s Guide to Addressing Bullying and Bias in Schools and Know Your Rights as a Student. These can be found on their website at cair.com.

For this article, we will focus on Know Your Rights as a Student, a comprehensive resource that can serve as a starting point for conversations about religious liberty. According to this important guide, students should know:

1. They have the right to wear religious clothing, including garments or messages with religious content, as long as other clothing with similar messages is permitted.
2. They have the right to inform others about their religion. This includes passing out literature or speaking about Islam, as long as it is not disruptive.
3. They have the right to organize student-led prayers on school grounds, provided the service does not interfere with the school’s functioning.
4. They may have the right to attend Friday prayer. The Supreme Court has upheld the right of states to allow students “release time” to attend religious classes or services.
5. They have the right to be excused from school for religious holidays, provided they notify the school in advance.
6. They have the right to be excused from class discussions or activities that they find religiously objectionable.
7. They have the right to form an extracurricular Muslim student group or club.
8. They have the right to express political views, so long as doing so does not cause disruption.

Once children understand these rights, they can begin to explore what protections they have under the U.S. Constitution and how to advocate for themselves in school and other public spaces. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can use examples from recent history to show how religious freedoms have been upheld in cases of discrimination against Muslims, read the Constitution together, and answer questions children may have about their rights. They should also be reminded that our ultimate guide for understanding human rights is the Qur’an, where Allah has affirmed religious freedom for all in the statement, “There is no compulsion in religion” (2:256).

From the Quran to the Constitution, liberty is emphasized as both a blessing and a privilege. Teaching children about their religious freedom not only helps them live their faith with confidence but also equips them to become advocates for others. In the spirit of Allah’s promise of religious liberty and the Constitution’s vision to secure “the blessings of liberty,” we must all do our part to preserve this fundamental right so that every community can live in peace. It all begins with “We, the People.”

1. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/April-28/muhammad-ali-refuses-army-induction
2. https://www.cair.com/about_cair/cair-at-a-glance/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-1