CAIR enters Muslim prisoner food fight; Fla. inmates charge non-Halal meals served

The Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida and the American Civil Liberties Union are threatening legal action on behalf of hungry prison inmates.

Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department is being charged with not serving Halal foods to prisoners since October 2014, a local ABC affiliate reported June 24. The civil rights organizations say 35 inmates have complained that they are not being served Halal meals.

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

The corrections facility disputes CAIR Florida’s claims and says the nonprofit was informed in a recent meeting that adequate meals were being served.

“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,” spokeswoman Janelle Hall told the station.

Ms. Hall added that staff at Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department would welcome “assistance with identifying additional Imams willing to volunteer their services.”