Muslim inmate wins religion case in Va.

[rug]

NORFOLK, Va., May 15 (UPI) -- In a rare victory for a prison lawsuit, a Muslim inmate in Virginia has won the right to get religious materials in his prison library, officials say.

State Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli settled the seven-year battle with Rashid Qawi al-Amin last week after court rulings in the prisoner's favor, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported Sunday.

The Corrections Department will spend up to $2,500 on Islamic library materials at the Greensville Correctional Center and hire a Muslim inmate to work there. Inmates will be allowed to donate religious materials, after security review.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/05/15/Muslim-inmate-wins-religion-case-in-Va/UPI-55911305485477/

[AlecBGreen]

1. I wish the article provided more details

I wonder what he was requesting that was too onerous for the prison to supply? What religious materials cost $2500(!)? Why is he being reimbursed for the case? Did he really pay for a 7-year legal battle out-of-pocket? How much did the AG spend on this?

[darkstar3]

2. The sick thing here is that he had to sue at all.

A library funded by taxpayer dollars should really be all or nothing when it comes to religious texts. If one religious text is OK, I see no reason at all for others to be banned.

[LAGC]

3. Exactly.

I mean, even the Wiccans can get their ritual oils and charms sent in to many prisons. I don't see how accomodating a Muslim would be any more difficult, unless they want to bring in burqas or something. LOL.