A Minneapolis bakery has apologized after a customer wearing a hijab claimed that staff were refusing to serve her because they did not accept her face covering as a mask designed to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Zahur Abdiaziz posted a video on Facebook this week saying she had been subjected to a 'corona type' of racism following the incident at Marissa's Bakery in the city.
Video of the encounter started when Abdiaziz filmed herself standing inside the bakery asking the female worker behind the counter why she wouldn't accept her hijab as a face covering.
Minnesota's health department recommends people wear face masks when inside stores to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Zahur Abdiaziz posted a video on Facebook this week saying she had been subjected to a 'corona type' of racism after an employee at Marissa's Bakery in Minneapolis refused to serve her because she wasn't wearing a mask
'So me wearing this is not a mask? Are you saying this is not a mask?' Abdiaziz could be heard asking the worker.
The worker responded: 'No face mask no service.'
When Abdiaziz said her hijab was her face covering, the worker responded: 'It's not a face mask. We don't accept that.'
The worker could be seen throwing her hands in the air and walking away as Abdiaziz said: 'So you're not going to serve me bread?'
Abdiaziz posted the video on Facebook, saying: 'Someone please tell me how is her face mask different than mine? This lady refused to sell me bakery because I am not wearing the same mask as her!'
When Abdiaziz said her hijab was her face covering, the worker responded: 'It's not a face mask. We don't accept that.' The worker could be seen throwing her hands in the air and walking away as Abdiaziz said: 'So you're not going to serve me bread?'
'This type of racism is called the corona type. I had to remain calm.'
The video has already been shared on Facebook more than 2,700 times.
In a statement on Wednesday, the bakery apologized to what it called a 'racial incident'.
'We are deeply saddened that one of our employees would address someone in that manner and refuse service,' the statement read.
'At this store we do not tolerate any form of discrimination to our Muslim brothers and sisters.'
The bakery said they were addressing the issue but it is not yet clear if the worker has, or will be, disciplined.
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