The state American Civil Liberties Union chapter is suing the Newark public school district on behalf of a Muslim teen over a school's decision to hold its graduation ceremonies in a Baptist church.

The New Jersey ACLU said Wednesday it was suing the district because its decision to hold graduation in the church prevented West Side High School senior Bilal Shareef from attending. Shareef's religious beliefs forbid him from entering a building with religious images, the civil liberties group said.

The ceremony violated several provisions in the state constitution prohibiting public institutions from showing a religious preference, the ACLU asserts.

The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages and a ban on further public school ceremonies in places of worship.