For Immediate Release:

A newspaper column leads to legislation to protect children in foster care

Paterson, November 22, 2011: An opinion piece by Dr. Aref Assaf, President of American Arab Forum and an Advisory Board Member of CAIR-NJ, on the need to address the religious dimension of children in foster care has formed the basis for an important legislation in New Jersey. The column, first appeared in The Star Ledger's NJ Voices, was the result of a painful interview Dr. Assaf had with the parent of a Muslim child who was removed by DYFS ( Division of Youth and Family Services) and placed with a family leading ultimately to converting the child from being a Muslim into a Christian. The piece argued that the laws were either misunderstood or misapplied that would allow such a conversion to occur under the watchful eyes of the state. Dr. Assaf spent the next five months pleading his case to those who cared to listen.

It was the good will of Imam Mohammad Qatanani, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, that led to a most fruitful relationship with Assemblyman Gary Schaer from Passaic (D-NJ). Asm. Schaer and Dr. Assaf held many and long discussions and with the support of their staff, culminating in the drafting of a legislation. If passed, the new law will provide a foundational legal precedent that ensures the continuity of the child's religious traditions.

It is worth noting that a prominent Jewish agency that helps children, has also come aboard to support the effort. The legislation is, after all, faith-neutral and it will cover children of all faiths. From the start, CAIR-NJ was a formidable supporter of the initiative.

On Monday, November 21, 2011, Asm. Schaer's office issued a press release setting the stage for what we hope will be a short period of legislative haggling after which the Governor will sign the final version into law. We are certain other states will soon follow.

Our work is not over yet, we have to secure maximum support for the legislation. We therefore ask that you please call your local State Senator or Assemblyman and urge them to support Bill (A-4353), introduced Monday November 21, 2011 that will permit agencies and courts to place a child in a setting of a different religion only with a written statement from the child birth parent or legal guardian.

Click here for the original op-ed as published in the Star Ledger. It was later published with some variations in other media outlets such as the Daily Record and Arabisto.

Click here for the Press Release announcing the introduction of the Bill (A-4353).

Click here for the draft copy of the Bill

We would like to thank Assemblyman Gary Schaer for his strong lead on this important legislation. Protecting children is a high priority for all.

Kindly take a moment to thank the Assemblyman. His email is: AsmSchaer@njleg.org or by phone to (973) 249-3665.

American Arab Forum is a think-tank based in Paterson, NJ specializing in Arab and Muslim American affairs. www.aafusa.org