Seven men are suing Norwegian Cruise Line alleging the company violated their civil rights by firing them because of their Middle Eastern origin and Muslim faith.

The federal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Honolulu yesterday by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of Abdullah Yahva, Ahmed Al-Mlhany, Ahmed Almraisi, Nagi A. Alziam, Muthana A. Shaibi, Nork Yafaie and Samed Kassam. Named as defendants were NCL America Inc., Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd., and Norwegian Corp. Ltd., which operate cruises in Hawaiian waters.

The men worked on NCL's Pride of Aloha until they were fired in "quick succession" beginning in July 2004, said Anna Park, regional attorney in the EEOC's Los Angeles office. The men are of Middle Eastern or Yemeni origins and all are Muslims, the lawsuit said.

"They were all hired around the same time, came on board and all pretty much fired," Park said.

NCL officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Park said NCL gave no good reason for terminating the men's employment.

"At the time they were actually fired they were told just to get off the ship," Park said. "The reason that was given was related to 'security issues.' However, it is the EEOC's contention that those were unfounded and it was just a pretext to fire them because of their religion and national origin."

The men filed a complaint with the EEOC, which investigated the charges, Park said. The agency determined that the men were discriminated against and attempted to resolve the matter with the cruise line, she said. Unable to do so, the EEOC filed the discrimination lawsuit against NCL.

The men are asking a judge to issue a permanent injunction to prohibit the cruise line from engaging in unlawful employment practices and to order NCL to develop policies and programs to prohibit such discrimination. The lawsuit also seeks back pay and damages.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.