State police hired Imam Kifah as its first and only Muslim chaplain. It then revoked its decision citing an Internet report from anti-Muslim blogger Steven Emerson that attacked Imam Kifah.
The lawsuit accuses state police of "relying upon false allegations and unfounded suspicions of illegal activity" and "tarnishing the plaintiff's professional reputation."
"Constitutionally a person can only be held responsible for their own activities, their own conduct. And if Imam Kifah has never committed a crime, then what is he being denied for? I think that's an answer we never received from Illinois State Police," said Christina Abraham, CAIR, civil rights director.
Illinois State Police say they have not yet been served with the lawsuit, therefore it has no comment.
