Muslim Inmates In Florida File Complaints About Being Denied Religious Diet, Spark Controversy

More than 35 Muslim inmates at the Miami-Dade County jail are in dire straits due to dietary restrictions that are not in accordance with Islamic law. According to the International Business Times, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida have filed complaints on behalf of the prisoners stating that the Muslim inmates are being denied halal meals.

According to Opposing Views, both organizations have received a staggering number of complaints in regards to the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department decision to serve “non-halal” meals, which violates the faith-based meals policy.

For those who don’t know, there are strict dietary guidelines under Islamic law. Halal, which means “permitted or lawful,” refers to food and drink that is permissible under Islamic law. However, halal is not limited to just food and drink, but in this particular case, it is in reference to “meat of certain animals and mandates that the food not come into contact with other non-Halal meals, among other things,” reports Local News 10. It has been reported that the department discontinued Halal meals back in October of 2014. However, the most recent complaints received are due to the month of Ramadan 2015, which began on June 17.

Due to the controversial directive, many Muslim inmates are reportedly starving themselves in observance of religious beliefs while others are conflicted about what they should do.

“Some of them are not eating, or they’re not eating enough,” Thania Diaz-Clevenger, civil rights director for CAIR Florida. “They’re conflicted with, ‘Should I practice my religion, something I sincerely believe and it’s a part of me, or do I starve.'”

Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department spokeswoman Janelle Hall released a detailed statement to Local 10 News in response to the complaints. She stated that Muslims are given an alternative meal option that is in compliance with the faith-based meals policy. However, the department may further consider offering halal means as another alternative.

“Last month, we met with members of CAIR to discuss concerns related to the meals being offered to our Muslim inmates,” said Hall. “CAIR stated the Halal meal is the only acceptable option for Muslim inmates. However, CAIR was informed during this meeting that the department’s Imam, who has serviced the Muslim inmate population for several years and has guided us on Muslim-related issues, found the alternative meal currently offered to the Muslim inmates to be in accordance with Muslim principles. Although MDCR consistently meets the religious dietary needs of our inmate population, including those of the Muslim faith, CAIR was advised that we would give further consideration to the offering of Halal meals as an additional option. We will continue to work with CAIR and the Muslim community regarding issues that may affect our Muslim inmates and welcome assistance with identifying additional Imams willing to volunteer their services.”

The Corrections Department’s decision has sparked controversy as many feel incarcerated Muslims should not be given an option regardless of religious beliefs. In most cases, prisoners must conform to the environment they’ve been placed in as part of the consequences suffered for the crimes they’ve committed. Many feel the rules should not be compromised. However, Shalini Goel Agarwal, a staff attorney at the ACLU’s Florida office, argues that Muslim inmates still should not be denied their constitutional rights due to incarceration.

“Individuals do not lose their constitutional rights just because they are behind bars,” said Agarwal. “When a particular diet is part of an inmate’s religious practice, jails need to respect that, especially when they already do so for inmates other faiths.”

The department has stated that no dietary changes have been made thus far.

“There has been no change in religious meals for Muslims incarcerated during the month of Ramadan,” Hall told WPLG.

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