UK ARMY HONOURS MUSLIM MAJOR

British Army has settled the case of a Muslim Major who sued for racial and religious discrimination over lack of appreciation for her role in rescuing British soldiers in Iraq in 2005.

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June 20, 2022

British Army has settled the case of a Muslim Major who sued for racial and religious discrimination over lack of appreciation for her role in rescuing British soldiers in Iraq in 2005. Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt wrote to Major Rabia Siddique, “Dear Major Siddique, I recognize the part you played in the incident on September 19 2005 at Jamiat police station in Basra.  I would like to express, on behalf of the Army, my pride at the courageous manner in which you conducted yourself on that occasion and the other work you did in Iraq, for which you received the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service.” The letter came as part of a deal that settled the case of Siddique, 36, who sued the Ministry of Defence for religious, race and sex discrimination. Major Siddique accused the army for denying her proper recognition for her role in freeing two British soldiers held by militiamen. As the only Arabic-speaking soldier, she played a key role in the stand-off. But while another white male officer in the six-strong negotiating team was awarded the Military Cross, Siddique was ignored. She had sued the Army last year, demanding £650,000 in compensation. A confidential, last-minute settlement was hammered out on June 9 as her case was due to be heard by a tribunal in central London. The agreed-upon compensation figure was not revealed.