Hi Friend,
Imagine being so excited to board a cruise ship only to be confronted with an ignorant and illegal violation of your rights and sincerely-held religious beliefs.
That recently happened to a Muslim woman from Texas when she boarded a Carnival Cruise ship. On January 29, our client, who wishes to keep her identity private, was asked to remove her headscarf for a security photo to be allowed on the cruise ship.
Send an email to Carnival telling them to end discrimination against Muslim women.
The woman explained that she need not take off her headscarf to take a photo, and cited Carnival‘s own policy that states veils need not be removed if they don’t cover the face. But the Carnival employee still demanded the removal of the scarf. When the woman then asked for a private room — again, in accordance with Carnival's official policy — her request was denied.
Faced with being denied permission to board, the woman was forced to unveil in public in a humiliating violation of her religious liberty and sincerely-held religious beliefs.
The woman is seeking redress: she is asking Carnival to issue an apology, pay damages, enact policy changes and instruct employees to respect Muslim women.
Muslim Advocates has also filed an official complaint against Carnival Cruise Line with the Florida Commission of Human Rights because Carnival’s main offices are in Florida. But this is only a first step.
We need your help to put pressure on Carnival to end its discrimination and respect Muslim women.
Please send Carnival an email now and tell them to end discrimination, reform procedures, arrange training, and make amends for violating this Muslim woman’s rights.
In solidarity,
