Muslims settle lawsuits over forced church services in jail

County officials in Ohio have settled federal lawsuits with two Muslim women who said they were forced to attend Christian church services while serving sentences in jail in Cleveland. Settlement agreements released on Wednesday show they paid $48,500 to Shakeena Majeed and $32,500 to Sonya Abderrazzaq.

Both women served sentences for misdemeanour convictions. They alleged in separate lawsuits that they were required to attend religious services led by a Baptist minister while they were in jail. They also said they were harangued for not actively participating.

Attorneys for the two women said the practice has been stopped.    (AP)

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