Washington state man fired over religious beard wins court fight

SEATTLE – A Muslim man who said his former employer fired him because of the beard he wears for religious reasons has been awarded $66,000.

In 2011, 24-year-old Abdulkadir Omar sued Sacramento, Calif.-based American Patriot Security seeking back pay and unspecified damages for emotional pain, among other reasons.

In late September, a federal judge leveled a default judgment after the security company failed to participate in the court proceedings.

According to the lawsuit, Omar wasn't told about the clean-shaven policy when he was hired in May 2009. In November 2009, a supervisor told him he had to shave his beard. Omar responded that his beard is part of his religious beliefs and refused. He was suspended, and later fired.