Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, currently there are about 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, making up over 24% of the world population. By 2025, Islam is expected to grow by 50%.
By some counts, there are between 6-8 million Muslims in the United States and about 50% of them are Africans born in America. So, these statistics indicate that at some point our clients will be Muslim. And occasionally lawyers and investigators that are incompetent, underfunded and openly bigoted represent them. A lack of cultural sensitivity to other ethnic groups and or religions may affect their ability to adequately prepare for a case.
This session will provide information helpful in dealing with Muslim clients that were arrested as Muslims, as well as those that converted to Islam in jail after their arrest.
Topic material will cover:
- Muslims in the U. S.
- Most likely defendants
- Islamic basic beliefs
- Five pillars of Islam
- Taking the case of a Muslim
- If you are Muslim
- If you are non-Muslim
- Where to get assistance
- Jail and court practices
- Witnesses in the Muslim community
- Expert witnesses on Islam
Session Objectives
- Demonstrate the need to be objective, and open to represent individuals outside of so-called mainstream (Christianity) religions in the U.S., such as Islam, the Moorish Science Temple, Nation of Islam, Rastafarian, Vodun (Voodoo), Santeria, Five Per Centers, Sikhs, etc.
- Provide the participants with information and resources to work cases of Muslim and other non-mainstream religious clients.
