• 09
  • January
    2012

Sept. 11, 2001 was absolutely, no doubt a tragic and terrible day for many Americans across the country. No one would deny that fact, but since then, many Americans -- with no connection to that day's occurrences -- have continued to suffer from religious discrimination and harassment in the workplace simply for their beliefs and outward appearance.

A Muslim employee in California has felt like he was not only discriminated against since that day over ten years ago, but he said that he has been blatantly and seriously harassed. "I'm tired of being called Osama Bin Laden," said the employee in a complaint to a federal agency.

The employee began working at his position the same year as the attack. He remembered back to the day and said in the complaint that he has always considered the attacks more than a criminal act, but the "mass murder of innocent people." Yet, his co-workers have continued to call him names with a very clear undertone suggesting terrorism.

"We've seen an uptick in employment discrimination around the country, including the Sacramento Valley, since 9/11," said Rachel Roberts with the Council of American Islamic Relations.

The Muslim worker claimed that his employer has failed to accommodate his religion. The employee had asked in the past for one hour off every third Friday. He had wanted to attend an Islamic ceremony -- as is his right under California Law. He even said that he would come into work at any time to make up for the hour that he would be gone, but he was refused. He noted that while his request was denied, another employee was accommodated in a similar fashion for a different event.

The employee has not only suffered the discrimination and harassment, but he said that the illegal behavior has caused a serious physical reaction. The physical and psychological problems suffered as a result have even forced him to take several months of leave from work.

Source: The Kansas City Star, "Muslim worker alleges religious harassment," Brad Branan, Jan. 4, 2012