(DEARBORN, MI) — An Arab American woman filed a discrimination lawsuit against Advance America in Inkster, Mich. on Wednesday.
Raghdaa Ali says she walked into a cash advance provider in June when the clerk told her to “get out,” she told WYXZ-TV in Detroit.
Ali claims the clerk pointed to a dress code sign on the door and asked her to leave, saying her religious head scarf violated the no hat policy.
“This is our beliefs and our religious (beliefs) — we cannot take it off. She said if you cannot take it off, we cannot serve you,” she told WXYZ-TV.
Ali filed a federal lawsuit against the corporate parent, claiming that Michigan does not require the removal of the scarf for state ID, and asking to remove her headscarf is unlawful.
“Lack of (knowledge of) religious culture,” is to blame says Ali. “This is my country and I have the same right as they have.”
Advance America Cash Advance was founded in 1997 and is the largest provider of the non-bank cash advance services in the United States.
“For the safety of our customers and employees, Advance America requires the temporary removal of hoods, hats, sunglasses and other head coverings in order to be admitted into our centers,” said Jamie Fulmer, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Advance America. “We intend to vigorously defend the legitimate security purpose of our practice in court.”
Ali says she has the support of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee.
“In this instance, we are talking about a religiously protected activity. In this instance, we are talking about mistreatment towards somebody because of the way they look,” says Fatina Abdrabboh, the director of the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee.
Watch the WXYZ-TV report below: