Suit accuses Chick-fil-A of religious bias

HOUSTON - A Muslim from Houston has filed a lawsuit in federal court saying Chick-fil-A&#39;s corporate purpose to glorify God discriminates against its non-Christian employees. <br> <br> Aziz Latif, 25, said he was fired a day after he refused to pray to Jesus Christ during a training session in November 2000. <br> <br> The lawsuit, filed Monday, said Latif was hired in 1996 but does not specify which Houston restaurant he worked for or what position he was being trained for. <br> <br> A week before his firing, the lawsuit said, an evaluation praised Latif as a ``great manager&#39;&#39; who knew the ``operation side of the business very well.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The lawsuit said the Atlanta-based chain refuses to pay Latif&#39;s medical bills and expenses incurred while a participant in Chick-fil-A&#39;s employee benefit plan. He is seeking reinstatement and damages for emotional distress, attorneys fees and back pay. <br> <br> Neither Latif nor his attorney was available for comment. <br> <br> Jerry Johnston, a spokesman for Chick-fil-A, told the Houston Chronicle for its Tuesday editions that the company had not been served with the lawsuit and he could not comment. <br> <br> The company&#39;s well known religious credo does not infringe upon employees&#39; rights, he said. <br> <br> Chick-fil-A&#39;s no-work-on-Sunday mantra has been in effect since S. Truett Cathy, founder and chief executive officer, opened his first fast food restaurant in 1946.