Muslims Allege Discrimination by City Colleges of Chicago

(CHICAGO, 3/27/10) – On Monday, March 29, the Chicago Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago)
will hold a news conference to call on the City Colleges of Chicago to resolve complaints of discrimination by Muslim employees of Truman College.

Two separate discrimination lawsuits have been filed against the City Colleges by Muslim employees alleging a pattern of bias at the college. Zubair Khan of Rab & Khan, LLP is representing the plaintiffs in both of those cases.

The lawsuit representing Dr. Shams Jaffer alleges retaliation and a hostile work environment. Dr. Jaffer’s supervisor reportedly made multiple offensive statements, including one about how he did not want to hire Muslims because their salaries would be sent to “terrorists” to make “bombs.”

The hostile environment against Dr. Jaffer was officially recognized in writing by the City Colleges’ internal Equal Employment Officer. In addition, City College’s attempt to dismiss Dr. Jaffer’s claim was denied by Judge Pallmeyer of the Northern District of Illinois.

Dr. Nasrat Esbai’s lawsuit also alleges repeated discrimination, culminating in her firing. The City’s Office of the Inspector General conducted an investigation of her termination and found that Dr. Esbai should be permitted to remain in her position as the grounds for her firing were invalid.

Despite these findings, the President of Truman College, Lynn Walker, continued her campaign against Muslims by terminating another highly-respected Muslim administrator without cause. This administrator was later reinstated after the City Colleges considered the legal ramifications and the public outcry caused by the termination.

School administrators have refused to take substantive corrective action to prevent ongoing discrimination and harassment.

WHAT: Press Conference calling on the City Colleges of Chicago to resolve complaints of discrimination at Truman College

WHEN: Monday, March 29, 2010 at 1 p.m.

WHERE: CAIR-Chicago, 28 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60604

WHO: CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director, Christina Abraham Esq., and Zubair Khan Esq.

CAIR-Chicago is a chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR-Chicago, or 202-870-0166, E-mail arehab@cair.com; Amina Sharif, Communications Coordinator, CAIR-Chicago, 630-935-5562, E-mail asharif@cair.com ; Christina Abraham, Civil Rights Director, CAIR-Chicago, 312-212-1520, E-mail cabraham@cair.com