Woman sues US firm after being ‘rejected due to hijab’

A Muslim woman has sued a security company in the US for discrimination, alleging that the firm rejected her because of her faith and her hijab (veil).

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of Zahraa-Imani Ali, from St Louis County, Missouri, alleging that a nationwide security firm discriminated against prospective Muslim employees. Securitas Security Services refused to hire Ali, “at least in part, but likely entirely, on the fact that Ms Ali wears the hijab as part of her adherence to the Islamic faith,” lawyer Robert West was quoted as saying by St. Louis Post- Dispatch.

The suit, filed on October 21, seeks monetary damages, costs and attorneys’ fees and seeks class-action status to represent other applicants.

The lawsuit said that Ali, a former correctional officer, applied for a job with Securitas in September 2015. During a phone screening that October, she asked whether wearing a hijab would be an issue, the suit said.