CAIR: Minn. Wal-Mart to Accommodate Muslim Worker's Prayers

July 20, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-20-2009/0005062773&EDATE=

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) announced today that a Wal-Mart store in that state has agreed to accommodate a Muslim employee's right to pray in the workplace.

CAIR-MN said the religious accommodation came after its intervention in the case of a Muslim Wal-Mart employee who was reportedly fired for violating a new supervisor's ban on prayer during work breaks. A previous supervisor had allowed the worker to perform his daily prayers.

Following discussions between CAIR-MN and local and national representatives of Wal-Mart, the Muslim worker was re-hired and allowed to perform his prayers during breaks.

"We appreciate Wal-Mart's handling of this case and its willingness to accommodate the religious practices of employees," said CAIR-MN Civil Rights Coordinator Zahra Aljabri.