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Swift Meat Plant Muslims Seek Compromise

Muslim leaders say they want to compromise with a JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plant, but they still demand a break for prayer.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) -- Muslim leaders say they want to compromise with a Nebraska meatpacking plant, but they still demand a break for prayer.

Mohamed Rage of the Omaha Somali-American Community Organization says JBS Swift & Co. is requiring its workers to choose loyalty either to God or their employer.

Muslim workers have asked for accommodations with break times to allow prayer at sunset during Ramadan. The conflict led to walkouts at the plant last week, with non-Muslims claiming their co-workers were getting preferential treatment.

Rage says nearly 200 Somali Muslims have been fired. The company has confirmed 86 firings.

Messages left for a company spokeswoman weren't returned Sunday.

Associated Press writer Timberly Ross in Omaha contributed to this report.