150 Muslims fired from US factory over prayer dispute

Some 150 Muslims employees at a beef-processing plant in Colorado were dismissed from their jobs for failing to show up for work over a prayer dispute, CNN reports.

Last month, a group of 11 workers at Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan wanted to go pray at the same time in a room in the plant that is set aside for prayer and reflection. But their supervisor asked that they break up into smaller groups so as not to disrupt production, according to CNN affiliate KCNC.

They complied with the request and went in smaller groups to pray. But after their shift, 10 of the group of 11 workers resigned, Cargill spokesman Michael Martin told CNN.

News of the dispute spread to other plant employees, and about 150 Somali workers missed work for three days in protest.

Based on the company’s attendance policy, those who failed to come to work for three consecutive days were fired without any form of notice.