Published January 13, 2015
The Kane County Sheriff's Department faces a religious discrimination lawsuit filed by a former employee who is Muslim and says he was forced to leave his job because of his faith.
Former corrections officer Abal Zaidi of Streamwood says Sheriff Pat Perez mandated all employees to have cleanly shaven faces. Zaidi, however, wears a traditional Muslim beard and asked to be exempt for religious reasons.
He worked for the department from July to December 2006.
According to the federal lawsuit filed Monday, Zaidi was told to resign or he would be fired for poor performance. Perez says he has no comment on pending litigation.
Zaidi seeks an apology and unspecified damages.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/illinois-corrections-officer-says-he-lost-job-over-traditional-muslim-beard