Tarik Ali, a Muslim and DC firefighter, claims his lieutenant told him to make a choice between his job and his religion.

Ali and his attorney say they have a tape of the conversation, which took place back in July.

Ali and his lawyer tell us that the purpose of the July meeting was in response to a complaint filed by Ali alleging harrassment by his superior.

Ali's attorney, Donna Rucker, says her client is not seeking any particular legal action. She says she's asking the fire department to investigate the case as inappropriate and to take actions required by its rules, policies and prodecures....

DC Fire and EMS spokesman Alan Etter says that officials would have liked Ali to follow department channels in filing a complaint instead of notifying the news media.

Etter says that if that statement really was put to Ali, the department could not condone it.[Link]