Oregon Prisons Sued for Blocking Muslim Religious Rights

Three Muslim men formerly or currently incarcerated in Oregon have filed a federal lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC), accusing the state’s prison system of ongoing religious discrimination. The legal action, announced by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Oregon chapter, claims that since the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon’s prisons have failed to accommodate essential aspects of Muslim religious practice, particularly during holy events like Eid and Ramadan.

The lawsuit, filed in late June 2025 in the U.S. District Court in Pendleton, demands reforms and recognition of Islamic religious needs, including halal food options, proper Eid celebrations, and equal treatment in visitation policies.

Lawsuit Demands Broader Protections for Muslim Inmates

This isn’t the first time Oregon’s prisons have come under scrutiny for religious rights violations. In 2018, a similar case led to a $15,000 settlement and kosher meals being granted to a Muslim inmate. However, the plaintiffs in the current lawsuit say the earlier resolution was insufficient and did not lead to systemic change.

The new case pushes for more comprehensive protections, including:

• Permanent recognition and observance of Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha based on accurate lunar dates.

• Access to certified halal meals during Ramadan and throughout the year.

• Equal family visitation rights during Eid celebrations.

• A ban on exposure to pork products and food contamination.

• Official statewide policy on religious accommodations in all state correctional facilities.

The plaintiffs also seek financial damages for years of what they describe as unconstitutional discrimination.

Who Are the Plaintiffs?

The lawsuit is filed on behalf of three Muslim men:

• Amir’Whadi Hassan, currently serving time for second-degree assault.

• Niaz Khoshnaw, imprisoned for murder.

• Hamza Mohammed Jama, who was released in January 2025 after serving time for sexual abuse and assault.

All three were primarily housed at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton.

Allegations of Unequal Treatment

The 29-page complaint alleges that Oregon’s prison system has consistently provided better religious accommodations to Christian, Jewish, Native American, and secular groups, while neglecting the needs of its Muslim population.

According to the plaintiffs:

• Holiday feasts were downsized to minimal portions.

• Eid was celebrated on incorrect dates, undermining its religious significance.

• Congregational prayers were blocked or delayed.

• Family visitation during holidays was denied, while other groups were permitted these interactions.

One particularly troubling incident cited in the complaint involved halal meat being discarded instead of served during Eid celebrations. Though details are sparse, the event led to a formal grievance being filed by inmates.

Pre-COVID vs. Post-COVID Practices

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Oregon’s prisons reportedly observed Islamic holidays by providing family-style halal meals featuring lamb or fish. These meals were served during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and inmates were allowed to gather in prayer and celebration.

However, the situation reportedly deteriorated after the pandemic began:

• Special meals were canceled or replaced with standard fare.

• Religious gatherings were reduced or eliminated.

• Family visits tied to religious holidays were suspended and not reinstated.

CAIR’s legal team argues that these changes reflect a lack of institutional will, not pandemic-related safety concerns.

Costly Trade-offs for Muslim Inmates

In the absence of halal food from the facility, the plaintiffs say they were forced to buy expensive commissary items to supplement their diet.

“Plaintiffs spent up to $75 per week on commissary food,” the lawsuit says. “Yet they still experienced symptoms of starvation such as fatigue, brain fog, muscle weakness, and worsening of chronic health conditions.”

The lawsuit also highlights the health risks of being exposed to pork contamination, which violates Islamic dietary law. Without proper oversight, inmates say they often had to choose between honoring their faith or preserving their health.

Broken Promises and Inadequate Policy

One of the main grievances is the lack of a consistent statewide policy for Muslim religious accommodations. A facility chaplain allegedly responded to an inmate complaint by stating that changes wouldn’t happen until such a policy is adopted. As of July 2025, no official ODOC policy exists for Muslim religious practices.

Despite a partial success in March 2025, when prayer and meals were arranged on the correct day for Eid, the plaintiffs claim that the family visitation aspect was still denied—showing continued inconsistency in religious observance.

A Pattern of Discrimination?

CAIR believes this lawsuit is part of a larger pattern of anti-Muslim discrimination in Oregon. On July 3, 2025, CAIR Oregon filed another federal civil rights lawsuit against the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, accusing officers of forcing two Muslim women to remove their hijabs for mugshots.

Key Issues Raised by the Lawsuit

• Lack of halal-certified meals

• Denial of religious gathering and prayer

• Incorrect observance of Islamic holidays

• Unequal access to family visits

• Exposure to pork contamination

• No statewide policy ensuring religious rights

Response from Officials

As of now, Amber Campbell, spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Corrections, has declined to comment on the pending lawsuit. The department has not issued any official statement regarding the allegations.

Meanwhile, CAIR Oregon remains firm in its position:

“Every faith group deserves equal treatment,” said Aya Beydoun, CAIR Staff Attorney. “By denying halal meals and blocking family visitation for Eid — while extending those same accommodations to other religious groups — ODOC is violating both the Constitution and federal law.”

This legal challenge is shaping up to be one of the most aggressive efforts yet to force Oregon’s prison system to honor the religious rights of its Muslim inmates. With the growing number of Muslim prisoners across the U.S., the outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how correctional facilities accommodate faith-based needs moving forward.