From: Sayyid Syeed [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2014 12:53 PM
To: Sayyid Syeed
Subject: Essay Contest for students on religious freedom with $2000 award

Essay contest asks students to explore conflicts over religious garb in the workplace

High school juniors and seniors can win up to $2,000 for college

Entries are now being accepted for the 2015Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest<http://www.bjconline.org/contest>, sponsored by the Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee.

All high school students in the graduating classes of 2015 and 2016 can enter by writing an essay between 800-1,200 words addressing the following:

Under federal law, employers cannot discriminate on the basis of religion — and other protected categories — when hiring if they have 15 or more employees. A conflict can arise when an employer refuses to allow an employee to wear religious clothing at work or refuses to hire someone because of such attire. For example, clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch claimed its “look policy” allowed it to not hire a Muslim woman who wanted to wear a hijab — or head scarf — on the sales floor.

In an essay, discuss whether and to what extent an employer should be able to dictate an employee’s attire — such as denying an employee’s request to wear religious garb.

Should the image or brand the employer portrays with a dress code trump the employee’s religious expression? What are the broader implications for religious liberty?

Each year, the contest engages high school students in church-state issues by directing them to express a point of view on a religious liberty topic. The grand prize is $2,000 and a trip for two to Washington, D.C. Second prize is $1,000, and third prize is $250. Entries must be mailed to the Baptist Joint Committee and postmarked by March 6, 2015, to be eligible.

Click here for the entry forms<http://bjconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2015-RL-Essay-Contest-Entry-Form.pdf> and complete rules. For more information, visitBJConline.org/contest<http://www.bjconline.org/contest>.

Share this information with students, teachers, youth ministers and others by forwarding this email or downloading a flyer<http://bjconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2015-essay-contest-flyer-FINAL-highres.pdf> to post at your church or
​Islamic Center​





Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed,
National Director
Office for Interfaith & Community Alliances
Islamic Society of North America
Phone 202-544-5656 Fax 202-544-6636
110 Maryland Ave NE,  Suite 304
Washington DC 20002
www.ISNA.net<http://www.isna.net/>
Click here to watch ISNA's Interfaith Message<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2HgaYHEoLU>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY2F5kCbN-g#t=10

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