(CANTON, MI, 10/31/2022) – The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the filing of a federal lawsuit in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of a Yemeni Muslim man who claims he was wrongfully terminated after more than a year of complaining that he was the victim of employment discrimination by his supervisor.
READ THE LAWSUIT.
Jalal Muflihi, a Yemeni American Muslim man complained for nearly a year that his supervisor at U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Works location had been singling him out for discipline and unfair treatment based on his national origin and religion. After filing several complaints with his union and directly through U.S. Steel’s internal civil rights department, Muflihi received no relief. He believes that as a result of his complaints related to his discriminatory treatment, he was subjected to unfair disciplinary action and was recently terminated.
Muflihi obtained several letters of support as evidence of the alleged unfair treatment by his supervisor. However, once he submitted those letters of support, the witnesses were then allegedly targeted by the same supervisor for discipline and unfair treatment in what appears to be retaliation for their support of Muflihi. All three individuals filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission related to the alleged unfair treatment. Prior to filing suit, Muflihi and CAIR-MI unsuccessfully reached out to U.S. Steel to attempt to resolve this matter.
“Mr. Muflihi, should be able to provide an honest living for his family without having to suffer discrimination and harassment on the job,” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure, “At no time should anyone fear that speaking up about discrimination can result in retaliation and termination from their place of employment. U.S. Steel had an obligation to fairly investigate Mr. Muflihi’s claims of discrimination, and the claims of his fellow co-workers related to retaliation. Instead, they allowed the individuals accused of targeting Mr. Muflihi for harassment and discrimination to investigate themselves, leading to Mr. Muflihi’s wrongful termination.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure (586) 943-8823 adoukoure@cair.com; CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418 dwalid@cair.com