Advocacy group sues after Illinois State Police revoke first Muslim chaplain's appointment

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Advocacy group sues after Illinois State Police revoke first Muslim chaplain's appointment
(AP, September 1, 2010)

CHICAGO (AP) - A Muslim advocacy group filed a federal discrimination lawsuit Monday over an Illinois State Police decision to revoke the appointment of the agency's first Muslim chaplain.

Kifah Mustapha, a Chicago-area imam, was named a chaplain last December along with chaplains of other faiths. He underwent training, passed a background check and was issued state identification. But shortly after, the appointment was criticized by the Washington-based Investigative Project on Terrorism, which said Mustapha was a "radical fundraiser" and alleged he had links to Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Mustapha hasn't been charged with any crimes and denied wrongdoing.

According to the lawsuit filed on his behalf by the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Chicago office, Mustapha was then told by Illinois State Police that he had passed only a preliminary background check and another should have been conducted before the training.

In June, the police department revoked his appointment, citing only information revealed during a background check.

According to the lawsuit, Mustapha was told by a police employee that articles by the investigative think tank prompted the second background check.

The lawsuit claims the think tank is known for "anti-Muslim views" and alleges religious, national origin and racial discrimination on the part of police. The lawsuit seeks damages, attorneys fees and the reinstatement of Mustapha to the chaplain post.

Police spokesman Master Sgt. Isaiah Vega said the agency had not been served with the lawsuit and would not comment on pending litigation.

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	All Articles Advocacy group sues after Illinois State Police revoke first Muslim chaplain's appointment (AP, September 1, 2010) CHICAGO (AP) - A Muslim advocacy group filed a federal discrimination lawsuit Monday over an Illinois State Police decision to revoke the appointment of the agency's first Muslim chaplain. Kifah Mustapha, a Chicago-area imam, was named a chaplain last December along with chaplains of other faiths. He underwent training, passed a background check and was issued state identification. But shortly after, the appointment was criticized by the Washington-based Investigative Project on Terrorism, which said Mustapha was a "radical fundraiser" and alleged he had links to Palestinian militant group Hamas. Mustapha hasn't been charged with any crimes and denied wrongdoing. According to the lawsuit filed on his behalf by the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Chicago office, Mustapha was then told by Illinois State Police that he had passed only a preliminary background check and another should have been conducted before the training. In June, the police department revoked his appointment, citing only information revealed during a background check. According to the lawsuit, Mustapha was told by a police employee that articles by the investigative think tank prompted the second background check. The lawsuit claims the think tank is known for "anti-Muslim views" and alleges religious, national origin and racial discrimination on the part of police. The lawsuit seeks damages, attorneys fees and the reinstatement of Mustapha to the chaplain post. Police spokesman Master Sgt. Isaiah Vega said the agency had not been served with the lawsuit and would not comment on pending litigation. Related Sections \| Islam	Search 10 Commandments 12 Tribes Aum/Aleph Bahai Branch Davidians Buddhism Christianity Church/State Colonia Dignidad FLDS Falun Gong Gatekeepers Gov. Reports Hari Krishna Hinduism Home Schooling Honohana House of Prayer Internet Related Islam Judaism Legislation Legislative Docs. Miscellaneous Mungiki Native Religions Nuwaubian Nation Occult Other NRMs PBMA Raelians Rastafarians Scholarly Papers Scientology Sectarian Violence Sikhism Solar Temple The Body The Family Int'l Unification Church Yahweh Zong Gong
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