Islamic principles mandate ending torture and protecting dignity of incarcerated Muslims at Rikers Island
From Islamic jurisprudential perspectives, solitary confinement represents haram – forbidden practice violating human dignity and Islamic principles of mercy and justice. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught that mercy is among the most important virtues and that cruelty violates fundamental Islamic ethics. Islamic law explicitly prohibits torture and cruel punishment, yet solitary confinement at Rikers has inflicted exactly such cruelty on incarcerated people, many of whom are Muslim.
Islamic Obligation to Imprisoned Community Members
Islamic tradition emphasizes that community members have sacred obligation to care for imprisoned believers. Visiting imprisoned Muslims, providing halal food, ensuring prayer space access, and protecting their dignity are religious duties. Yet Rikers’ conditions have violated these obligations: incarcerated Muslims denied halal meals, prayer time, Quran access, and religious clothing. Mamdani’s commitment to implementing solitary confinement restrictions represents important step toward honoring Islamic duties to imprisoned community members.
Halal Food and Religious Accommodation
Will Mamdani’s compliance plan ensure that incarcerated Muslims receive halal food certified by Islamic organizations? Will prayer spaces accommodate five daily prayers required by Islamic faith? Will women be able to wear hijab? Will Ramadan be honored through scheduling meal times around fasting requirements? These are not luxury accommodations but fundamental religious rights.
Muslim Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care
Rikers and other city jails employ chaplains representing Christian and Jewish traditions but historically excluded Muslim chaplains. Will Mamdani’s administration ensure that incarcerated Muslims have access to Muslim chaplains providing spiritual guidance and Islamic education? This is essential to human dignity and religious freedom.
Immigration Detention and Muslim Targeting
Many incarcerated Muslims at Rikers are facing immigration proceedings. Muslim immigrants and refugees are disproportionately targeted by federal immigration enforcement. Will city jails refuse to cooperate with ICE detention holds? Will Mamdani’s administration protect Muslim immigrants from deportation to countries where they face religious persecution?
Authority Links for Islamic Prisoner Rights
For information about prisoner rights and Islamic perspectives, consult the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Prison reform advocacy appears at the Prison Policy Initiative. Information about Islamic chaplaincy is available at the Association of Professional Chaplains. For Muslim prisoner support, the Prison Books Project provides resources.
