Amid the disturbing emergence of Islamaphobia — the Times calls it “growing tensions involving Muslims in the U.S.” — a record number of Muslim employees are facing employment discrimination. Claims from Muslims were already on the rise — a record 803 were filed in the twelve-month period ending September 1, 2009 — but Islamic groups say they have noticed a “surge” in complaints in recent months, indicating that 2010’s figure (to be released in January) will set another record. “There’s a level of hatred and animosity that is shocking,” said Mary Jo O’Neill, a regional attorney of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. “I’ve been doing this for 31 years, and I’ve never seen such antipathy toward Muslim workers.” [NYT]
