ST. Paul, MN - (update Aug. 19th - Ramadan 9, 1431) CAIR (Council on Arab Islamic Relations) has visited the company (Electrolux) to assure Muslim workers they would be allowed to break their fasts each day of the month of Ramadan (fasting in Islam).
Previously the Swedish company had denied any food or drink in the production area.
But now, it seems all is well and Muslims are going to get a "break" just after the sun goes down.

Special thaks to the people at Electorlux and C.A.I.R. and to all of our brothers and sisters who took the time to write letters and emails to the company.
Maashallah - see the difference and the victory coming to us when we follow true Islam and act responsibly all together?
Al Hamdulillah.

Here's an update article and the original article is attached (below)
Electrolux eases policy for Muslims

ST. CLOUD — Freezer maker Electrolux said it will accommodate Muslim employees during Ramadan, the upcoming monthlong religious holiday.

The St. Cloud Times reported that a company policy instituted a policy in January that barred workers from eating on the factory floor as a safety measure.

The problem was that its Muslim employees asked to be allowed to break their dawn-to-dusk fast — a key part of Ramadan observance — on the production floor.

Electrolux union leader Jim Kiser said the company will move the second-shift break time so employees can eat at sundown during Ramadan, which starts Aug. 10.

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations this week called on the appliance maker to make changes for about 200 Muslim workers on the second shift.

That's right, Muslims are being asked to contact these guys in Sweden and ask them to give Muslims their rights to food to break their fast in Ramadan.

(ST. PAUL, MN, 7/21/10) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relation's Minnesota chapter (CAIR-MN) today called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to contact Swedish appliance manufacturer Electrolux to ask that the company grant legally-mandated religious accommodation to Muslim employees at its St. Cloud, Minn., plant during the upcoming Ramadan fast.

Earlier this year, Electrolux adopted a new policy that prohibits all food on the production floor. Since that policy was put in place, Muslim employees, their union representatives and CAIR-MN have worked to seek an exception to allow the workers to bring a snack onto the production floor to break their fast at sunset during the month of Ramadan.

All requests for religious accommodation have been ignored by Electrolux officials, despite the fact that the majority of the more than 300 employees who work the evening shift are Muslims.

“It is disappointing that Electrolux is ignoring its legal obligation to provide reasonable religious accommodation to its employees,” said CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director Taneeza Islam. “We believe this issue can be resolved once Electrolux engages with its Muslim workers to devise a solution that meets the legitimate needs and requirements of all parties.”

More? Whole story on C.A.I.R. website ->
http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=763&&ArticleID=26522&&name=n&&currPage=1

Contact Electorlux website (tell them what you think):
www.electroluxappliances.com/contact
Here's a suggested sample letter to them:
(be nice)
Dear Sirs:
Could you please reconsider your policy = "Not to allow your workers to break their fast in Ramadan"?
It might be in the best interest of public relations to even offer them a few moments to eat and give thanks.
Who knows? You might even find more production from showing you really care about your workers.
May God guide you to what is best, ameen.
Thanks
P.S. I read about this on C.A.I.R. website and www.IslamNewsroom.com

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