A local Muslim group is suing a Broward County hotel, the city of Parkland and a business group over the hotel’s decision to cancel the group’s annual conference earlier this year, citing “unlawful discrimination” and “conspiracy to interfere with civil rights” against members of the group, as well as violating a contract made six months prior to the conference.
The lawsuit brought by the South Florida Muslim Federation, which represents over 30 of the region’s mosques, Islamic schools and community organizations, comes nine months after the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center canceled the group’s conference in January. The hotel, according to the federal lawsuit, cited “significant undesirable interest” for the move, which followed public and political pressure and an internet campaign labeling the group “Hamas sympathizers.”
“The Marriott’s cancellation of South Florida Muslim Federation’s annual conference was fueled by Islamophobia and hate-filled community leaders that believe all Muslims are terrorists,” said Jalal “Jay” Shehadeh, legal advisor to the South Florida Muslim Federation, at a Monday press conference outside the Fort Lauderdale Federal Courthouse, where the suit was filed.