(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/11/10) --

A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is calling on a Virginia-based convenience store chain to offer an apology to a Muslim woman who was allegedly denied service at one of the chain's stores in that state because she wore an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.

The Muslim customer told the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that she entered the Valero Fas Mart in Fredericksburg, Va., on November 9 to make a purchase. When she approached the cashier to pay, she was allegedly told to remove her hijab if she wanted to be served. The cashier reportedly said the reason for that demand was that the store security cameras would not be able get a clear image of the Muslim customer's face, despite the fact that her full face was visible.

To comply with the cashier's demands, and despite her sincere religious beliefs that she must cover her hair at all times, the Muslim customer says she pulled her scarf back slightly to expose her hairline. In spite of this attempt to avoid confrontation with the cashier, the Muslim customer was allegedly told to leave the store without being served.

Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion in places of public accommodation and service.

In a letter to Valero Fas Mart, CAIR National Legal Counsel Nadhira Al-Khalili asked the company to investigate the incident, reprimand the cashier, provide the Muslim customer with a written apology, and institute sensitivity and diversity training for staff.

CAIR is urging American Muslims and other people of conscience to contact Valero Fas Mart and urge the company to address the Muslim customer's concerns.

CONTACT Valero Fas Mart at: http://www.fasmart.com/ContactUs.aspx COPY TO: info@cair.com

"This incident is part of a growing pattern of American Muslims being targeted in the course of conducting ordinary business in their daily lives," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

Earlier this week, CAIR questioned the legality of recent incidents in which United Parcel Service (UPS) flagged packages containing passports of American Muslims traveling on pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) and turned them over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

CAIR: More Pilgrims' Passports Delayed

Yesterday, CAIR's Oklahoma director appeared on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow show to discuss hate messages received following his lawsuit challenging a state constitutional amendment that would ban the consideration of Islamic principles in courts.

Video: CAIR Rep Discusses Okla. Shariah Ban with Rachel Maddow

In Louisiana, A Muslim woman wearing an Islamic scarf who brought food to workers at the East Baton Rouge Emergency Operations Center on September 11 was regarded as a "security breach" – resulting in the demotion of a center official.

SEE: Emergency Officials Demote Woman Over "Security Breach"

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the number of complaints of unlawful employment discrimination against Muslim employees has more than doubled in the last 5 years.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT:

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com