CAIR-Columbus announced today that it has reached a settlement with a local company who had wrongfully terminated a Muslim woman. The Muslim woman was terminated in November 2016 after being subjected to a hostile work environment based on her race and religion.
She was ridiculed by senior management for wearing her religiously mandated headscarf (hijab) and mocked for fasting during the month of Ramadan. She was also subjected to racial abuse and slurs. When she complained about the mistreatment and abuse, she was terminated in retaliation for her complaints.
“Our client is pleased that this matter was successfully resolved and that she will be receiving a monetary compensation for the harassment that she was subjected to,” said CAIR-Columbus Legal Director Romin Iqbal. “We have seen an increase in anti-Muslim sentiment in the last two years and we are getting more reports of Muslim employees being harassed at work and not given religious accommodations. While monetary settlements don’t negate the emotional impact discrimination has on victims, it does send a strong message to the perpetrators that such behavior will not be tolerated., he added.
CAIR-Columbus is currently representing over 50 Muslims who have been wrongfully terminated from the workplace.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. The CAIR-Ohio Affiliate has three chapters – Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.