I was working recently, and happened to catch a story on the news about a guy who was recently fired from his job.

The employer, which was a restaurant, let the employee go because he refused to take off his "hat" during his shift. The Restaurant has a strict dress code, the man refused to obey it, so he was let go..... end of story right?

LOL

Next, i hear a lawsuit is underway, because the man was of islamic decent. He claims that he "must" where the hat, and that the hat is "basically part of him"..... And because he is not allowed to wear it, the restaurant is oppressing against islam, and his right to freedom of religion.....

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

I almost went into a tangent right there on MY shift....

Cut and dry, the guy has NO case in my opinion. He should take his hat off, and quit trying to stir up things on the already shaky front of America and islam....

Is it against his religion to take off his hat? I doubt it... And even if it were, its not the business's fault, they have a dress code, and he didnt follow it.

The way he was talking while being interviewed.... he spoke like he had some right to "express" his religion.... ummmm excuse me?? You're ON THE JOB!! I am a christian, but i'm not allowed to wear a "God is Great" T-shirt over my uniform. Why is it that smaller religions are more justified to complain about all this, when it's equally ludicrious to begin with. You don't work at a job to express yourself.... you work to make money, and you do what they tell you to do....

what is sad, is that he has so much support from the civil rights union. Geez, these people don't even look to see if it's reasonable, they just fight for ANYTHING that isn't the majority.

Let me clarify a few things here...
For Sunni's you don't have to wear this "hat" but I do know that Shi'i's have to, though I really don't know why. I don't even know if it's an obligation or just something that's done to get closer to God, I'm a Sunni myself so I have no idea.

Regarding this issue, since it's just a hat that we're speaking of, then I really don't see the big deal. Especially since I 90% think that wearing a hat is not an obligation because if it were it'd go for Sunni's too, because mostly, the differences between the Sunni's and the Shiia's are about things that bring you closer to God and not things that you're obligated to do.
This reminds me of a case I read in the papers a few days ago, about this Pakistani Muslim who lives in Britian who wants to sue his company for making him shave his beard. Well, beards are not an obligation so he wouldn't be sinning if he did shave it off it's not such a big deal really. He would be rewarded, too, for trying his best to maintain it but he had to shave it off for his career so he's excused. Even if it wasn't his career he was worried about, even if he didn't have an excuse and just wanted to shave his beard, then there's nothing wrong with that either.
If it was, though, something like a hijab, which is an obligation for all Muslim women, then I'd definitely say sue the company. It's an obligation not an option.

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Really, I think that making such a big deal out of nothing isn't necessary. He did fire him on the grounds of not obeying the restaurant's dress code, and not because he was a Muslim. Where's his case?

Most companies give a person a set of oral or written company policies during or before orientation.
Seems like this would cover what is expected of the company and what is expected of the employee.
Years ago I was thinking of taking a job with a company and was told early on that I would have to shave my beard because the owner did not like beards. I decided then and there to not consider the company further. My choice.

What is to happen when a current employee suddenly decides to join some religion and start complaining of company rules, does he also have a court case?

Sometimes rules are set in place for a reason.
Example: My beard could stop a face mask from sealing were I in a job where I would be expected to wear safety equipment.

I personally believe you either go with company policies or get out and find another job.

it's a cultural thing people. all because someone says they are muslim does not mean they follow a 100% uniform code of doing things.
like the difference between a catholic and a snake handling holy roller church.
the difference between a pagan who believes in "god" and a pagan who doesn't.
they have a right to follow what they believe.

Originally posted by ivan
it's a cultural thing people. all because someone says they are muslim does not mean they follow a 100% uniform code of doing things.
like the difference between a catholic and a snake handling holy roller church.
the difference between a pagan who believes in "god" and a pagan who doesn't.
they have a right to follow what they believe.
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I understand what you are saying ivan, but do you believe the company should bow to this guys beliefs?

Nobody is forcing the guy to remove his hat. He has a choice. He can take the hat off and work, or he can leave the hat on and not work. This isn't complicated.

Rules are set for a reason, and as long as this guy didn't mean to be racist about firing his employee then what's the point? Rules are rules

Maybe the guy should shave his a** and stand on his head