Sidra Tariq, a 24-year-old junior accountant in Union City, New Jersey, claims she was fired after informing her boss about her intention to take a personal day to participate in a global strike advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Despite three years of employment without any disciplinary issues, Sidra received a shocking text from her employer the next morning, terminating her employment effective immediately.
Sidra, a Muslim, sees her participation in the strike as an obligation rooted in her religious and human principles to stand up against injustice. She acknowledges the possibility of keeping her intentions private but believes that transparency is essential to genuinely support the cause.
This incident highlights a broader pattern across the United States, where individuals expressing their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict face consequences.
While recognizing the sensitivity of the topic, many argue that expressing support for one side does not imply bigotry against the other. For individuals like Sidra, it is about justice and love for their communities.
Sidra shared her experience on Instagram, receiving an “outpouring of love and support” from both Muslims and non-Muslims, leading to a planned protest at her former workplace.
Despite attempts to reach out to her former employer for comments, they provided no response, only stating that the allegations are false and denying discrimination.
Dina Sayedahmed from the Council on American-Islamic Relations – New Jersey, which is offering Sidra legal assistance, points out that several individuals in the state have faced similar consequences for expressing support for Palestine, both in person and on social media. The rise in such incidents prompted nearly 200 calls to CAIR-NJ for help in recent weeks.
Sayedahmed emphasizes the disheartening nature of the increase in hateful incidents and stresses that individuals should not fear speaking out against injustice. She notes that speaking up is not just a legal right but also a moral obligation.
Sidra remains resilient despite the job loss, citing numerous job offers, support, and love she has received. She asserts that working for an employer who does not respect her beliefs and principles is not desirable.
