A Christian landlord, who was ordered to take a course in introductory Islam after bullying her Muslim tenants, has appealed saying it violates her constitutional rights.
Daisy Obi, a 73-year-old minister from Nigeria had rented out an apartment to Gihan Suliman, her husband and five children but was convicted of assault against the Islamic family. Obi was sentenced to two years in prison which could be reduced if she completed a course to learn about Islam.
"I want you to learn about the Muslim faith," said Judge Paul Yee Jr. "I want you to enroll and attend an introductory course on Islam. I do want you to understand people of the Muslim faith, and they need to be respected. They may worship Allah ... but they need to be respected."
However the probation condition is a violation of Obi's freedom of religion, her lawyers have argued.
"It is beyond dispute that the constitution guarantees that the government may not coerce anyone to support or participate in religion or its exercise," attorney Kimberly Peterson wrote in a legal brief.
However two independent legal experts said being asked to take a course on Islam is not coercive because it does not require her to adopt a religious practice or to attend a Muslim religious service, but merely to be educated.
"We're not requiring her to embrace any [religious] principles. We're requiring her to learn about them," said New York Law School professor Robert Blecker.
The highest court in Massachusetts will now be asked to determine whether or not the judge has violated Obi's constitutional rights. The case is scheduled to be heard on January 8.
