Muslim Florida Professor Settles Prayer-Time Retaliation Lawsuit

A former University of Florida professor reached a deal with the school to resolve allegations that it retaliated against him when he sought to rearrange his work schedule in order to attend Muslim prayer.

The professor, a doctor whose role included working in the university hospital’s cardiology unit, alleged that he lost his job after requesting an accommodation so he could attend Friday prayer at a nearby mosque. The US District Court for the Northern District of Florida said Tuesday it would dismiss the case after the parties filed notice of the settlement Monday.

• Plaintiff Ahmed Hussein joined UF as an associate professor in July 2024 and the school unlawfully terminated him approximately four months later, according to his June complaint for religious bias and retaliation
• Chief Judge Allen C. Winsor rejected UF’s bid to toss out the retaliation allegations in August after ruling that Hussein plausibly alleged he engaged in protected activity
• The US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit hasn’t squarely addressed the issue, but it’s likely that the appellate court “would conclude requests for religious accommodations are protected activities,” Winsor said

Atlas Law Center represents Hussein. Alexander DeGance Barnett PA represents UF.

The case is Hussein v. Univ. of Fla. Bd. of Trs., N.D. Fla., No. 1:25-cv-00073, order filed 12/30/25.