CAIR-MN Calls for Probe of Religious Material in Children’s Meal
ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/—The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on Kentucky-based Yum! Brands, the parent company of the Long John Silver’s restaurant chain, to investigate a complaint reported to the Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization involving distribution of religious literature in a children’s meal.
In November, a Muslim family visited a Long John Silver’s restaurant at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., and ordered a children’s meal for their three-year-old son. They noticed that the toy that came with the meal was a small notepad with the phrase “Build with Jesus” written at the top along with a quote from the Bible.
SEE: Minn. Islamic Group Wants Investigation Into Fast-Food Toy
http://tinyurl.com/48p6b9
View the toy at: http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/image.pdf
Although Muslims respect the Bible and believe in Jesus as a prophet of Islam, the family preferred a non-religious toy in the children’s meal. After requesting an alternative toy for their child, the family was shown variations of the notepad, each containing a different verse from the Bible.
“While the restaurant has the right to distribute whatever materials it wishes, we believe it is inappropriate to include such texts in children’s meals without first making parents aware of the religious content,” said CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director Taneeza Islam. “It would be more appropriate if the restaurant offered toys that included wisdom from different faiths and offered a non-religious alternative.”
Ms. Islam noted that the Mall of America attracts visitors from around the world.
On its website ( http://www.yum.com/responsibility/diversity.asp ) Yum! Brands notes that diversity is “their way of life” and that the company strives for “inclusion and engagement.”
CAIR-MN is asking Yum! Brands to:
1. Investigate the incident.
2. Offer the Muslim family a formal written apology.
3. Review the toy distribution policy for all restaurants and ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
4. Participate in CAIR’s sensitivity and diversity training.
The restaurant chain has not responded to a November 17 letter from the Islamic civil rights and advocacy group.
CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR-MN Board Chair Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director Taneeza Islam, 651-587-4712, E-Mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202 488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations
CONTACT: Lori Saroya, CAIR-MN Board Chair, +1-612-327-6700,
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); Taneeza Islam, CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director,
+1-651-587-4712, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); or Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR National
Communications Director, +1-202 488-8787, +1-202-744-7726, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)