An Atlanta-based restaurant chain is being sued after a job applicant claimed it denied employment to her because of her religious headdress.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against the Folks Southern Kitchen restaurant chain.

Soumaya Khalifa, a Muslim, is required by her religion to wear a headdress in public.

“The headdress is a sign of modesty. It's part of the dress code for women, for Muslim women,” Khalifa said.

Her attorney said she was offered a cashier job in October 2006, only to be told two days later that the offer was revoked.

“Ultimately, the conversation gravitated toward the headdress she was wearing and then she was told 'You can't wear that, that isn't consistent with our dress code',” said EEOC attorney Robert Dawkins.

After a lengthy investigation, the EEOC filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against Folks. The agency is seeking tens of thousands of dollars in back pay and damages. [Link]