Newark Schools Settle Case Agreeing Not To Hold Graduations In Church Buildings

Yesterday's Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger reports that the ACLU has settled a lawsuit it filed against the Newark Public Schools on behalf of a Muslim student who was unable to attend his own high school graduation. Honor student Bilal Shareef's religious beliefs precluded him from entering a building containing religious icons such as a cross. West Side High School's 2006 graduation was held in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church. In addition, any student who attended a Baccalaureate ceremony at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church got two extra tickets to graduation. In the settlement, described in an ACLU press release, the school district apologized to Shareef and his father, agreed not to hold student events in places of worship, and not to hold them in other religious buildings unless religious images are covered. The district also agreed not to give students special benefits based on whether they attend a religious event.