Group of Muslim women sue up-market Laguna Beach coffee shop after being 'kicked out because of their religion'

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A lawsuit filed on Monday alleges that a group of seven women were kicked out of Urth Caffe, a coffee house in Laguna Beach, California, last month because they were Muslim.

The women, six of whom wear the headscarf, allege that management had asked them to vacate their table on April 22 on grounds that the restaurant was busy and that the policy limited seating to 45 minutes when no free tables are available.

When the women refused to leave, the coffee house called in the police.

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A lawsuit filed Monday alleges that a group of seven women were kicked out of Urth Caffe, a coffee house in Laguna Beach, California, last month because they were Muslim

Plaintiff Sara Farsakh (seen left and right) has said: 'What began as a night out with some friends ended as a painful and embarrassing reminder of what it is like to be visibly Muslim—even in liberal California'

Plaintiff Sara Farsakh wrote on Facebook last month: 'What began as a night out with some friends ended as a painful and embarrassing reminder of what it is like to be visibly Muslim—even in liberal California.

'By visibly Muslim, I mean women who wear the hijab, or headscarf.' 

She also posted a video to Facebook, apparently showing empty tables at the coffee house.

In a press release on Farsakh's profile, the other plaintiffs were identified as Soondus Ahmed, Rawan Hamdan, Sara C., Yumna H., Safa R. and Marwa R. 

Dan Stormer, whose law firm is representing the women, told AFP that it was clear his clients were targeted because of their religion.

'At the time our clients were there, there were several dozen free tables,' he said.

'There were people who were there before our clients arrived and they were not asked to leave.

'Those people were white and they were not wearing the hijab.' 

Farsakh posted this image on Facebook last month, which allegedly shows Urth Caffe's seating policy

Farsakh also posted a video to Facebook, apparently showing empty tables at the coffee house. The incident at Urth Caffe allegedly happened on April 22

Urth Caffe said in a April 26 Facebook post: 'Urth Caffe categorically denies any and all claims of racial or religious discrimination against Sara Farsakh.

'While a full investigation is still on-going, it appears that Ms. Farsakh and her friends violated company policies and that the staff at Urth Caffe in Laguna properly and justifiably applied company procedures.' 

The statement said: 'Urth Caffe sincerely hopes that its customers will withhold judgment until all of the evidence in this case comes to light. 

Urth Caffe published this statement on its Facebook page last month

Restaurant owner Shallom Berkman (pictured) has denied discriminating against the women and pointed out that his wife was Muslim

'Once the evidence is fully revealed, Urth believes that everyone will be satisfied that Urth Caffe continues to serve all of its guests with the same respect and admiration.'

In interviews with local media, the owner of the restaurant, Shallom Berkman, denied discriminating against the women and pointed out that his wife was Muslim.

Other patrons were waiting in line, he told KABC last month. 

Berkman told the TV station: 'We're very sorry that [Farsakh] has this feeling that this was something racist, but that is just not the case.'

Urth Caffe said: 'While a full investigation is still on-going, it appears that Ms. Farsakh and her friends violated company policies and that the staff at Urth Caffe in Laguna properly and justifiably applied company procedures'