Citing past complaints, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia is reminding jail officials to honor the dietary rules followed by Muslim inmates during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Muslim holy month begins Aug. 1.

The ACLU said Friday it has sent emails to jail officials across Virginia reminding them that inmates who are Muslim take their
meals between sundown and sunrise during Ramadan.

The ACLU's executive director, Kent Willis, said the courts and
Congress have made it clear that inmates have the right to practice
their religious beliefs behind bars, provided they do not impose a
security threat.

The civil liberties group said the Virginia Department of Corrections honors the dietary strictures of Muslim inmates.

The ACLU said that has not always been true in local lockups.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)