BIAS SUIT FILED AGAINST ILL. STATE POLICE

The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) on August 30 filed a discrimination complaint in federal court against the Illinois State Police (ISP) on behalf of Kifah Mustapha, a leading Muslim religious leader (Imam) based in Chicago.

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August 16, 2022

The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) on August 30 filed a discrimination complaint in federal court against the Illinois State Police (ISP) on behalf of Kifah Mustapha, a leading Muslim religious leader (Imam) based in Chicago. The ISP had previously hired Imam Kifah as the first and only Muslim chaplain for its workforce after the completion of a thorough background check. Shortly after news of Imam Kifah’s hiring, the ISP revoked its decision citing a dubious Internet report attacking Imam Kifah. The report was written and distributed by Steven Emerson, an anti-Muslim blogger notorious for fighting against American Muslims’ civic participation. The lawsuit alleges discrimination based on race, religion and national origin. The suit also cites the denial of Imam Kifah’s First Amendment right to freedom of association, which bars the government from imposing guilt by association. “Imam Kifah is an upstanding citizen who has served this country and his community time and again,” said Christina Abraham, CAIR-Chicago’s civil rights director. “It is time to put an end to the fear-mongering and anti-Muslim rhetoric that has senselessly engulfed our nation.”