Shabazz v. Embassy Suites Management, LLC

On May 25, 2023, Dawud Shabazz, a Muslim guest at an Embassy Suites hotel in Secaucus, New Jersey, was confronted by security personnel who demanded he remove his religious head covering (kufi) and threatened to remove him from the property. Shabazz filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Embassy Suites Management, LLC and unnamed security staff, alleging intentional religious discrimination in violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and parallel state laws. The complaint asserted that the hotel’s enforcement of a vague dress code against visible religious attire constituted disparate treatment and denied full enjoyment of public accommodations. The case quickly attracted media attention and raised questions about the boundaries of hotel policies versus constitutionally protected religious expression.

The parties reached a confidential out-of-court settlement shortly after the lawsuit was filed. While financial terms were not disclosed, Embassy Suites issued a public apology to Dawud Shabazz and committed to implementing enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion training for its staff to prevent future incidents.

Whether a hotel’s general dress code or guest conduct policy can lawfully compel removal of a religious head covering, and whether the specific demand to remove the kufi constitutes intentional discrimination based on religion under federal public accommodation statutes.

The case prompted major hotel brands, including Hilton (parent of Embassy Suites), to reassess guest conduct policies to ensure religious attire is explicitly respected. It reinforced the message that secular dress codes cannot override religious accommodation rights in places of public lodging, and it became a reference point for advocacy groups like CAIR in educating businesses about their obligations under Title II.