TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A longtime Kansas State University employee has filed a lawsuit claiming the school discriminated against him because he is an Iranian-born Muslim who was in line for promotion to an associate vice president post.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Abdullah “Abe” Fattaey worked at Kansas State from 1971 until 2014. A federal lawsuit filed earlier this month claims he was terminated after a concerted effort by top university officials to get rid of him.

Fattaey was the school’s director of campus planning and facilities management when he was nominated in April 2013 to become associate vice president for campus planning and facilities management.

He says that instead of the promotion he was given a “terminal contract” and was told he would be dismissed in 12 months.