MLFA Applauds Security Clearance Reinstatement of Muslim Woman - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

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SOURCE: Muslim Legal Fund of America

Asserting Rights Pays Off for 20-Year Department of Defense Civil Servant

DALLAS, TX (PRWEB) February 21, 2013

Representatives from the Muslim Legal Fund of America, a national civil liberties defense organization, are applauding administrators at the Department of Defense for reinstating the long-held security clearance of Linda Mahmoud, a hearing-impaired civil servant of Palestinian descent who had her clearance pulled because she visited family overseas.

Supervisors at the Department of Defense informed Mahmoud last year that her security clearance, which is required for her employment, was revoked due to her visits to family in Palestine, according to Charles Swift, Mahmoud's attorney. Without the clearance, Mahmoud would effectively either be unemployed or demoted. MLFA funded the legal work required to defend her right to visit family overseas without fear of retaliation.

"That Ms. Mahmood faced losing her job because she visited her parents in Ramallah demonstrates how far we have to go to overcome the fear and prejudice that faces Muslims in America today," said Swift. "The success in her case demonstrates that fear and prejudice can nevertheless be overcome through the courage and commitment of Muslim Americans like Linda, and with the steadfast assistance of organizations like MLFA."

"I wish to thank Muslim Legal Fund of America for their support, and for Mr. Charlie Swift as my lawyer," Mahmoud said after learning about the decision. "Receiving a winning verdict was an indescribable joy and relief."

Khalil Meek, Executive Director for MLFA, said that his organization is pleased with the Department's decision and believes that a person's ethnic origin should never be criminalized.

"Americans from any race, religion, or ethnic origin should feel free to serve America without fear of discrimination or unfair treatment," said Meek. "This decision is a positive step for workplace equality and is a testament to how the system can work when we assert our rights."

The Muslim Legal Fund of America (MFLA) is a national civil liberties legal fund that defends the U.S. Bill of Rights by supporting legal cases involving civil liberty encroachments. Established in 2001, MLFA has defended freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to a fair trial, due process of law and many of our nation's civil liberties. To learn more about MLFA, visit their website at http://www.mlfa.org.

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