Jacksonville Fire District Chief Under Investigation for Alleged Religious Coercion Against Muslim Firefighter

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) district chief has been reassigned to desk duty pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations that he forced a Muslim firefighter to break his Ramadan fast earlier this year.

The incident allegedly took place in March 2025 at Fire Station 28, located on Hogan Road in the Southside Estates neighborhood. According to multiple sources, the firefighter — whose name has not been released to protect his privacy — was observing Ramadan when he became the target of undue pressure from District Fire Chief Bryon Iveson.

Sources say that Chief Iveson confronted the firefighter during a station dinner, yelling at him and demanding to know why he wasn’t eating with the rest of the team. The district chief then allegedly threatened to cut the firefighter’s hours and pay if he did not comply and join the meal. Faced with these threats, the firefighter ultimately broke his fast — a decision that he and members of the local Muslim community have found deeply troubling.

Outrage from Civil Rights and Religious Leaders

Omar Saleh, Managing Attorney for CAIR-Florida (Council on American-Islamic Relations), weighed in on the incident, calling it an egregious case of religious coercion.

“This is a case of religious coercion,” Saleh said. “We usually hear about cases where people are denied accommodations to pray or take religious holidays, but rarely do we hear about someone being forced to abandon a religious obligation. It’s extremely serious.”

Hafez Assali, Chairman of the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida, also commented, calling for better communication and understanding within organizations like the fire department.

“It is important to build solidarity,” Assali noted. “But if there are members with religious values at stake, there needs to be open communication. Solutions can be reached respectfully and easily.”

Understanding the Importance of Fasting During Ramadan

To better understand the gravity of the situation, Imam Bilal Malik of the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida explained the religious significance of fasting during Ramadan.

“Fasting during Ramadan is mandatory for every adult Muslim unless they are sick, traveling, or physically incapable,” Imam Malik said. “It is a complete abstention from food, drink, and negative behaviors from dawn until sunset. It is not a casual choice — it is a central pillar of our faith.”

Breaking a fast under duress, therefore, is not just a personal violation for a Muslim — it is viewed as an infringement on deeply held religious beliefs.

Investigation and Response

Following the allegations, Chief Bryon Iveson was reassigned to a desk job. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department has confirmed an internal investigation is ongoing but has refrained from offering specific comments while the matter remains under review.

“There is an active investigation,” JFRD said in a brief statement. “A full report and any resulting actions will be shared once the investigation concludes.”

Attorney Saleh emphasized that if the allegations are proven true, the consequences should be severe.

“Termination is something we’ve sought in the past for similar violations,” Saleh said. “Religious freedom is protected under federal law, and forcing anyone of any faith to act against their beliefs is unacceptable.”

A Broader Conversation

The case has sparked broader conversations within Jacksonville’s diverse communities about the need for increased religious sensitivity and cultural competence training, particularly in public institutions like the fire department. Advocates argue that proper education can prevent future incidents and foster a more inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of faith.

As of now, the community, civil rights groups, and religious organizations are watching closely as the investigation unfolds, hopeful that accountability and meaningful change will come from this unfortunate event.

This is a developing story. Action News Jax and other outlets will provide updates as new information becomes available.