Imam Kifah Mustapha’s lawsuit against the Illinois State Police.

Last Modified: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:44:56 GMT v1.002

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) along with Council on American-Islamic Relations of Chicago (CAIR-Chicago) held a press conference Wednesday to address the revocation of Imam Kifah Mustapha's chaplaincy to the Illinois State Police. Interfaith and activist groups, like the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the Chicago Coalition to Defend the Bill of Rights (CCDBR) attended to show their support for Mustapha. The conference came after Mustapha was informed he was being let go after his confirmation in December as the first and only Muslim chaplain for the ISP. The ISP cited a web report by blogger Stephen Emerson claiming Mustapha has ties with Hamas as the reason for his release.

CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab said Wednesday morning the revocation caught the Chicago Muslim community off guard. "We are at a loss for words," he said. "We're shocked and dismayed by the decision".

CIOGC Executive Director Mohamad Nasir added, "Imam Kifah is an exemplary moral leader who dedicated his time to administer and serve our community. We are very disappointed by the decision of the Illinois State Police to revoke Imam Kifah's Chaplainry status in response to pressure from hate groups."

According to CAIR-Chicago's Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham, the letter Mustapha received informing him of his revocation didn't provide sufficient explanation for their decision. "The ISP should've known better," she said. "We're here to say, enough is enough".

Rehab said he thinks Emerson's report shouldn't be the basis on which the ISP takes away the chaplaincy. "It's not up to laypeople to prove guilt or innocence," he said. According to Rehab, due process was not given to Mustapha.

CAIR filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) discrimination claim on behalf of Mustapha immediately, Abraham said. Following approval of the EEOC claim, CAIR will file a lawsuit.

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