Muslims Report Rising Discrimination at Work

Muslim workers are complaining of employment discrimination in record numbers. Included in the office harrassment are reportedly taunts of “terrorist” or “Osama.” Religious scarves and prayer breaks are being denied as well, according to a New York Times report.

Muslim workers filed a record 803 such claims in the year ended Sept. 30, 2009 -- an increase of 20 percent from the previous year and up nearly 60 percent from 2005.

Islamic groups report a surge in complaints recently -- indicating 2010’s figure may also be headed to the record books.

Last month, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
filed suit against JBS Swift on behalf of 160 Somali immigrants. The allegations: both supervisors and workers had cursed them for being Muslim. Blood, meat and bones were reportedly hurled at them.

Furthermore, it is alleged that prayer breaks were being sabotaged.