[PRESS RELEASE] CAIR-Chicago Files Federal Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against G4S Secure Solutions, Inc.

CAIR-Chicago Files Federal Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against G4S Secure Solutions, Inc.

(CHICAGO, IL, 12/11/17) – The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against G4S Secure Solutions (USA), Inc., on behalf of Mohammed Z. Hussaini, a former employee of the company, alleging discrimination by G4S for failing to provide a reasonable accommodation for him to observe his religious obligations.

On December 13, 2015, Mr. Hussaini was terminated from G4S after requesting an adjustment to his work schedule that would have allowed him the opportunity to attend Friday prayers. An accommodation had been made for him by the company for the previous five years, but when a new supervisor took over, Mr. Hussaini was told that he could no longer work the schedule that permitted him the ability to attend Friday prayers. No explanation for suddenly denying the accommodation was given to Mr. Hussaini, and he was not provided any options or alternatives by the company.

He offered to work weekends or at any other time so he could still work his adjusted schedule, but his supervisor refused to continue the accommodation for his religious beliefs. Mr. Hussaini was told that he would need to leave his position with the company (which he held without incident for more than 15 years) if he did not agree to a new schedule. Mr. Hussaini was forced to choose between his job and his religious beliefs, and because he desired to continue to attend Friday prayers, he was fired shortly after.

“Although the case was filed on behalf of Mr. Hussaini, this is a situation that many in the Muslim community have suffered with because of  insensitive individuals, or intolerant company cultures. They ignore the founding principle of religious freedom, upon which this country was founded, and allow unfettered bias against Muslim workers who simply desire to practice their faith,” said Phil Robertson, Litigation Director for CAIR-Chicago.

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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago’s Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, arehab@cair.com; Phil Robertson, probertson@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Saadia Pervaiz, spervaiz@cair.com, (312) 212-1520