Two young American Muslim women are suing the world's largest chain of fast food restaurants McDonald's over denying them jobs for donning hijab, the Detroit News reported on Friday, July 25.
"I applied for the McDonald's position maybe two weeks ago and he (the manager) simply (told me) I had to make a choice and remove my hijab, or I would not be able to establish employment there," 25-year-old Quiana Pugh said.
"When I walked away, I was definitely hurt by it and disturbed. I was confused that it could happen here in Dearborn, with so many Muslims."
Pugh found that she was not the only hijab-clad woman denied jobs in McDonald's branch in Dearborn in the state of Michigan.
Toi Whitfield, 20, from Detroit city, was also denied a job in McDonald's branch in Dearborn in November 2006.
The Muslim pair on Thursday filed a discrimination lawsuit against the fast-food chain before Wayne County Circuit Court.
Many American Muslims have complained of being discriminated against on religious bases.
Last month, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama apologized for two Muslim women after they were barred from sitting behind him at an election rally for wearing hijab.
Last January, a US high-school star runner was pulled out of the track for wearing a uniform that allows her to compete while complying with her Muslim faith.
Islam sees hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one's affiliations.
There are between six to seven million Muslims living in the United States.
Racist
McDonald's anti-hijab attitude drew fire from lawyers and American Muslims.
"This manager must have just stepped off of some spaceship to think he can do this in this back yard, in Dearborn," said civil rights lawyer Nabih Ayad.
The umbrella Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) denounced the manager's position as 'racist'.
"It is extremely disturbing that such discrimination could take place at a location which does not mind collecting Muslim dollars, yet places restriction on Muslim women who wear hijab," CAIR-Michigan executive director Dawud Walid.
A McDonald's spokeswoman said the management company that runs the Dearborn restaurant "has a strict policy prohibiting any form of discrimination."
The Dearborn restaurant is one of only two McDonald's restaurants in the US that sells halal food.
Whitfield, the Muslim plaintiff, said the lawsuit against McDonald's aims to protect other hijab-wearing girls against discrimination.
"I hope that they learn from their mistakes," said Whitfield.
American Muslims have become sensitized to an erosion of their civil rights since the 9/11 attacks.
A 2007 survey by Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum found that attitudes toward Muslims and Islam have grown more negative in recent years.
"They should not discriminate against people. Everyone should have an equal chance to work at McDonald's," said Whitfield.
Re: Two Muslim women sue McDonalds for $10 million!!!!!!!
its a franchise company, so the branch manager could be anyone, his not employed by McDonald's as its franchise. Im telling everyone know there not getting away with
$10 million
Re: Two Muslim women sue McDonalds for $10 million!!!!!!!
hmmm u never know ... and i would sue em if i couldnt get the job cuz of wat i wear. i mean wat kinda lame excuse is that. this might be a lesson to teach them to not be racist about religion... i think its a wonderful idea. n they will get some money. i mean probably not 10 mil. but akeeed they ll get either half or 1/4 hmm im just assumin... cuz i have seen ppl sue n they get some money at the end .....
Re: Two Muslim women sue McDonalds for $10 million!!!!!!!
Yet another reason to dislike McDonalds. But like qassy! said, it's just a franchise, so it doesn't necessarily mean that hijabis are not allowed to work in all McDonalds. If I were her I would probably just sue that specific manager/franchise owner.
Re: Two Muslim women sue McDonalds for $10 million!!!!!!!
format_quote Originally Posted by qassy!
nope..theey are doing it for the money now.....
Well they are doing the right way -- hitting where it hurts. Money has power.
Better than breaking windows and doors lol
It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, and obedience to Allâh, etc.) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allâh, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masâkîn (the poor), and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salât, and gives the Zakât, and keep their word whenever they make a promise, and who are patient in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of persecution, hardship, and war. Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious).
Re: Two Muslim women sue McDonalds for $10 million!!!!!!!
format_quote Originally Posted by youngsister
Is it even halal to work in McDonalds seen as their meat isnt halal?
well as u can see in dearborn -michigan we got the halal section in mcdonalds .... so i assume y not.
the only thing i found it was weird is that ... dearborn is like where all the arabs muslim community so i just found it a bit weird so i thought it might happen where in the non muslim community. :S weird
Re: Two Muslim women sue McDonalds for $10 million!!!!!!!
Well, I'm against discrimination and all that, however I believe private companies have the right to reject a job applicant on any grounds imaginable, be it clothing, religion or whatever.
Re: Two Muslim women sue McDonalds for $10 million!!!!!!!
format_quote Originally Posted by youngsister
Is it even halal to work in McDonalds seen as their meat isnt halal?
Ya I've always wondered that. Because I know that having a shop that sells liquor is haram. But is being an employee at like a Pizza Hut that sells pepperoni Haram? I don't know if anyone on this forum is qualified enough to answer, but please do if you are.
Re: Two Muslim women sue McDonalds for $10 million!!!!!!!
format_quote Originally Posted by Whatsthepoint
Well, I'm against discrimination and all that, however I believe private companies have the right to reject a job applicant on any grounds imaginable, be it clothing, religion or whatever.
Yes, i agree with that but they should be smart and take a lawyer which advice them what to say to candidates. Here i can't see any wisdom to say " your clothes" - which is clear a sign of discrimination.
In my country we have tests and they always says something like: you didn't have the points, sorrryyy. I never heard anyone suing any company for discrimination.
Re: Two Muslim women sue McDonalds for $10 million!!!!!!!
format_quote Originally Posted by Whatsthepoint
Well, I'm against discrimination and all that, however I believe private companies have the right to reject a job applicant on any grounds imaginable, be it clothing, religion or whatever.
Agreed
if i wanted to hire muslim only and male only employee's i should be able to do so dang it !!
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My tears testify that i have a heart
yet i feel me and shaytan never part
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