Watch CBS News

EEOC Sues Senior Living Center Over Headscarf

BALTIMORE (AP) -- An Ellicott City senior living facility is being sued for allegedly violating federal law for failing to hire a Muslim woman who would not remove her head scarf.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Morningside House on behalf of Khadijah Salim on Monday.

The lawsuit says Morningside House's director of health and wellness asked if Salim during a June 2010 interview if she would remove her religious headscarf, called a hijab, if she worked at the facility. Salim was not hired or contacted after her interview.

The EEOC says Morningside House violated a federal law that requires employers to reasonably accommodate an applicant or employee's religious beliefs or practices.

A telephone message left for the Morningside House executive director was not immediately returned.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.