Sacramento Officials Deny Discrimination against Muslim Employee; Lawsuit Filed

Sacramento County is denying allegations that a Muslim employee suffered from discrimination in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The employee, Abdur-Rahim Wasi, began working for the county’s Human Assistance Department during the same year as the terrorist attacks and has sued the county for religious and racial discrimination. A complaint was filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Sacramento officials counter that steps were taken to stop any harassment, but the employee begs to differ.

According to Wasi, he was mocked for expressing concerns about discrimination and that the county has prevented him from being able to properly practice his faith. The Bee reports: “Wasi wanted to leave work for an hour every third Friday to observe an Islamic ceremony, which he's entitled to do under state law. Wasi was willing to work other hours to make up the time, but the county refused, even though at least one other county employee was granted a similar arrangement, the lawsuit states.”

The employee also has taken issue with jokes at his expense and a fake business card that read “Job Club Assassinator.” Wasi is seeking monetary damages, but it is not clear how much.