A bill moving through the Florida Legislature is drawing concern from Muslim advocates.They say it could put Islamic private schools at risk of losing school voucher funding and potentially violate the First Amendment.In House Bill 1471 (HB 1471) it would block school voucher money from going to schools linked to a designated foreign or domestic terrorist organization. School vouchers are public funds that help families pay for private education, including religious schools. According to the Florida Department of Education, it currently lists more than 3,600 private schools in its school choice program, about half of them faith-based.Omar Saleh, lead attorney for the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said the bill could unfairly target Islamic schools.“We are Floridians, we are American Muslims, and these lawmakers have most likely never stepped foot inside of a mosque or Islamic school,” Saleh said. Saleh added that the measure could have serious consequences for students.“This would have very serious implications for students who are just trying to get an education, but by the virtue of them being Muslim and going to Islamic school, they won’t have that opportunity because of these state legislations,” he said. The concerns come after Governor Ron DeSantis designated CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization in December, following criticism from state officials about school vouchers and Sharia law.“It’s going against all Floridians’ First Amendment rights… But they are just not interested in having Muslims coexist in Florida with them, and we wish they would,” Saleh said. WESH 2 reached out to the Florida Senate to connect us with the bill’s sponsors. A spokesperson said it was heard in Judiciary on Tuesday.
A bill moving through the Florida Legislature is drawing concern from Muslim advocates.
They say it could put Islamic private schools at risk of losing school voucher funding and potentially violate the First Amendment.
In House Bill 1471 (HB 1471) it would block school voucher money from going to schools linked to a designated foreign or domestic terrorist organization.
School vouchers are public funds that help families pay for private education, including religious schools. According to the Florida Department of Education, it currently lists more than 3,600 private schools in its school choice program, about half of them faith-based.
Omar Saleh, lead attorney for the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said the bill could unfairly target Islamic schools.
“We are Floridians, we are American Muslims, and these lawmakers have most likely never stepped foot inside of a mosque or Islamic school,” Saleh said.
Saleh added that the measure could have serious consequences for students.
“This would have very serious implications for students who are just trying to get an education, but by the virtue of them being Muslim and going to Islamic school, they won’t have that opportunity because of these state legislations,” he said.
The concerns come after Governor Ron DeSantis designated CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization in December, following criticism from state officials about school vouchers and Sharia law.
“It’s going against all Floridians’ First Amendment rights… But they are just not interested in having Muslims coexist in Florida with them, and we wish they would,” Saleh said.
WESH 2 reached out to the Florida Senate to connect us with the bill’s sponsors. A spokesperson said it was heard in Judiciary on Tuesday.