Muslim civil rights group files complaint over alleged Islamophobic posts by Corewell employee

The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Wednesday it had filed a state civil rights complaint against Corewell Health, alleging the health system has failed to address social media posts by an employee who identified herself online as a “proud Islamophobe.”

The complaint, a copy of which was provided in a press release, was submitted March 6 to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and alleges the employee publicly described herself on social media as a health care provider working for Corewell Health and included screenshots of messages expressing hostility toward Muslims and advocating discriminatory treatment of Muslim communities, including calls to ban Islam and close mosques.

The civil rights group also alleges that other posts attributed to the same employee contained disparaging remarks about racial minority groups and people of color, raising broader concerns about discriminatory bias within the health care system which serves diverse communities.

Corewell Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

According to the filing, multiple complaints about the employee’s social media activity were made to Corewell Health over a period of about two years. The group alleges that the health system failed to take meaningful corrective action despite human resources personnel acknowledging they had received several complaints.

The complaint further alleges that after concerns were raised internally, the identity of the employee who reported the conduct was disclosed by the employer, creating fear of retaliation and contributing to what the group described as a hostile work environment.

Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the alleged conduct undermines trust in health care institutions.

“No patient should have to wonder whether the person responsible for their care harbors hatred toward their faith, and no employee should have to work alongside someone who proudly advertises bigotry against Muslims,” Walid said in a statement. “Hospitals are places where trust is essential.”

The council’s lead attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, said the workplace situation ultimately led the employee who raised concerns to take leave because of fear, anxiety and safety concerns.

“When someone responsible for caring for vulnerable patients publicly identifies themselves as a ‘proud Islamophobe,’ it raises serious concerns about bias in health care,” Doukoure said. “Patients should never have to question whether the person treating them harbors hostility toward their faith, race or identity.”

The complaint, which follows Tuesday’s release of the group’s annual report indicating a 25% increase in civil rights complaints against Muslims in 2025, alleges violations of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, Michigan’s primary civil rights legislation that prohibits religious discrimination, harassment that creates a hostile work environment and retaliation against employees who report discriminatory conduct.

The council is asking the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to investigate the allegations and require corrective action to ensure a nondiscriminatory workplace within the health system.