DAR AL HARB - U.S.A. - INDIANA: MOSLEMS PUTTING PRESSURE ON MAYOR OF MERRYVILLE

Muslim groups seek to pressure hotel developer
Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - Several groups are calling on Mayor Bart Peterson to pressure the developer of a 1,000-room downtown hotel overs concerns its policies discriminate against Muslim women.

The Muslim Alliance of Indiana, the Islamic Society of North America and a union representing hotel workers have asked Peterson to arrange a meeting with White Lodgings Services Corp., which was sued in Kentucky after four Muslim women said the company would not hire them unless they worked without wearing traditional head coverings called hijabs.

Merrillville-based White Lodgings was selected last year to lead a partnership to build the $250 million hotel that is part of the city's bid for the 2011 Super Bowl.

The Muslim groups and Unite Here! asked Peterson to withhold more than $48.5 million in subsidies until White Lodgings meets its demands, including establishing diversity training and an anti-discrimination policy for its workers and allowing employees to organize in unions.

"We're not against this deal or a subsidy," said Shariq Siddiqui, executive director of the Muslim Alliance. "But taxpayers have a say about how the city spends our money. We're saying if you want to get this incentive, you have to play by the rules of this country."

The Associated Press left a message Friday seeking comment from White Lodgings.
Peterson said he is willing to discuss the issue with both sides.

"A private business has a right within the law to do business as it sees fit," Peterson said. "On the flip side, when you're doing business with a public entity, the public has the right to ask questions about who we're partnering with."

...


Pertinent Links:

1) Muslim groups seek to pressure hotel developer