This site contains the views and opinions of American Muslims living in Michigan on a wide range of issues affecting our lives. Its authors are just a sampling of the diverse American Muslim community here, comprising many races, ethnicities and sects. Although we do not speak for any particular group, we are members of the large moderate majority of Muslims who call America their home and feel a responsibility to see that it prospers.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Muslim women sue McDonalds for discrimination

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/07/25/Suit_alleges_discrimination_against_hijab/UPI-89191217026591/

Suit alleges discrimination against hijab

DETROIT, July 25 (UPI) -- Two women claim in a lawsuit that a Michigan McDonald's refused to hire them because they wear the hijab, or Muslim headscarf.

Toi Whitfield of Detroit and Quiana Pugh of Dearborn say they were both told by managers at a McDonald's in Dearborn they would have to take off their hijabs to work, the Detroit Free Press reports. They filed a discrimination lawsuit Thursday in Detroit.

The Detroit area has one of the biggest Muslim communities in the United States, and the Dearborn McDonald's is one of only two restaurants in the chain that serves halal Chicken McNuggets that meet Muslim religious standards.

"They'll take Muslim dollars, but won't hire Muslim female employees," said Dawud Walid, head of the Council on American Islamic Relations in Michigan.

The suit named McDonald's, the management company at the Dearborn store and the manager who allegedly refused to hire the two women.

A spokeswoman said the management company has a strict non-discrimination policy.

Labels: