SOP_NUMBER: 106.08
TITLE: Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines
REFERENCE_CODE: VA01-0008
DIVISION: Inmate Services Division (Chaplaincy Services)
TOPIC_AREA: 106 Policy-Chaplaincy
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2020-11-16
WORD_COUNT: 1172
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106458
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/106.08/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes Georgia Department of Corrections guidelines for accommodating Islamic religious practices for incarcerated individuals. It covers worship services, Friday Jumah Prayer scheduling and supervision, Ramadan fasting accommodations including modified meal times, religious attire (kufi caps and prayer rugs), and observance of Islamic holy days. The policy applies to all practicing Muslim inmates and requires facilities to make reasonable accommodations while maintaining security and operational feasibility.

KEY_TOPICS: Islamic worship services, Jumah Prayer, Friday prayer, Ramadan fasting, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muslim accommodations, religious attire, kufi caps, prayer rugs, Imam, chaplaincy services, religious freedom, meal accommodations, holy days, Muslim inmates

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|
|**Policy Number:** 106.08|**Effective Date:** 11/16/2020|**Page Number:**Page 1 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Chaplaincy Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|


**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**

To describe the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) guidelines pertaining to
the Worship service, Islamic religious representatives, Jumah Prayer, Ramadan, and
meal requirements of the Islamic World religion.

**II.** **Authority:**

A. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title II Provisions;


B. Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA), 42 USC

Section 2000cc et seq.;

C. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): 106.11, Religious Accommodations; and


D. ACA Standards: 5-ACI-7F-05 (ref. 4-4517) and 5-ACI-7F-07 (ref. 4-4520).

**III.** **Definitions:** None.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

A. Worship Service and the Islamic religious representatives:


1. There should be a regularly scheduled service for the Islamic faith that is open

to all on a voluntary basis. This service is generic and does not confine itself
to any one school of thought and is open to all Muslims. This is the same
criteria we use with Protestant services in that we do not set up services for
each denomination. There is also an Imam assigned to most State facilities, and
offenders will not be provided with the minister of their choice.


2. All qualified offenders with disabilities will have access to services, programs,

and activities in accordance with the ADA.

3. Members of Specified Schools of Thought or Sects are entitled to contact the

facility Chaplain and arrange for one (1) minister of their choice to be placed






|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|
|**Policy Number:** 106.08|**Effective Date:** 11/16/2020|**Page Number:**Page 2 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Chaplaincy Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|



on their visitation list for a pastoral visit. This will give them access to a
minister of their school of thought.


B. Friday Jumah Prayer: Friday Jumah Prayer is the essential prayer service for the
Muslim established by the Islamic religion that is equivalent to Sunday Worship

for the Christian.


1. The time for Jumah Prayer is within a pre-established time frame required by

the Islamic religion. If Jumah Prayer is missing during the established time
frame, the prayer cannot be made up at an earlier or later time. Therefore,
Jumah Prayer should conform to the following time frame guidelines:

a. Recommend that Jumah Prayer be held between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

each Friday as established by the Islamic religion, if operationally feasible.

b. Recommend that Jumah Prayer be a minimum of one (1) hour and a

maximum time of one and one half (1½) hours.

c. Recommend that in the absence of an approved outside Imam that a non
security or security staff member be appointed to provide direct supervision
of the Jumah Prayer Service.

d. Recommend that the appointed staff supervisor become familiar with the

order of the Jumah Prayer Service that is provided with the guidelines.

e. Recommend that all practicing Muslim inmates be allowed to attend.

2. Kufi prayer caps (small caps that fit flush on the head) may be worn at any

time provided that it is a single ply fabric, it is white in color, and it does not
present a safety or security issue. The cap can cover no more of the offender’s
head than is covered by a state issued detail cap. Logos and embroidery must
be white so that the appearance is white on white. Women of the Islamic faith


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|
|**Policy Number:** 106.08|**Effective Date:** 11/16/2020|**Page Number:**Page 3 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Chaplaincy Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|



should be allowed to cover their head as appropriate to security interest and
regulations.

3. Personal possession of a small prayer rug for use during times of prayer is

authorized (worshippers bow in complete prostration). The rug may be a
washable lightweight rug, cloth or towel no larger than 3’ x 4’ for use during
corporate prayer and/or in cell during time of individual prayer. Prayer rugs
are restricted from being solid black or blue.


C. Ramadan - Month of Fasting: Muslims are required by the Islamic Religion to

exercise their responsibility of fasting during Ramadan. The period of fasting is
the ninth (9 [th)] month of the Lunar Calendar. Consequently, the Ramadan would
begin 9 to 11 days earlier each year depending on the Solar Calendar. The month
of Ramadan may be 29 to 30 days in duration depending on the moon’s position.


1. The Director of Chaplaincy Services will notify the Institutional Chaplain and

Warden/Superintendent of the dates one (1) month prior to Ramadan’s
beginning each year.

2. Practicing Muslim offenders desiring to observe Ramadan should submit their

names to the Chaplain and sign an agreement to abide by the terms of
Ramadan. The list and signed agreements should be retained by the Chaplain
or designated appointed person by the Warden/Superintendent.

3. During Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink during

daylight hours. Therefore, the Warden/Superintendent will consider:

a. Feeding practicing Muslim offender’s breakfast before dawn; and

b. Providing practicing Muslim offenders with a sack dinner or hot meal after

the sun has set.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|**Policy Name:**Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines|
|**Policy Number:** 106.08|**Effective Date:** 11/16/2020|**Page Number:**Page 4 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Chaplaincy Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|



4. Practicing Muslim offenders observing Ramadan will abstain from meals

served in the institution during daylight hours.

5. Muslim offenders may request removal of their names from the Ramadan list

by contacting the Chaplain and Food Service personnel in written form.

6. Muslim offenders abusing the Ramadan feeding agreement will be subject to

disciplinary action and removal from the list.

7. Offenders observing Ramadan that are placed in Administrative Segregation

or Disciplinary Isolation will be served the Ramadan meals the same as those
in general population. Food is not to be used as a disciplinary sanction for an
individual offender.


D. Holy Days: Muslims are required to observe the following two (2) obligatory Holy

Days:


1. Eid-ul-Fitr: The festival marking the breaking of the fast of Ramadan. Dates

will be announced one (1) month prior to Ramadan each year. A special
holiday meal is served on Eid provided in the GDC Master Menu.

2. Eid-ul-Adha: The festival commemorating the sacrifice of Abraham celebrated

at the end of the annual pilgrimage. It is observed approximately 70-days after
the end of Ramadan.

3. It is recommended during the morning of Eid that two (2) hours of prayer be

allowed in the Chapel or other appropriate place for practicing Muslim
offenders.


**V.** **Attachments:** None.

**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:** None.