NASHVILLE (AP) — A professor at Meharry Medical College is suing the school for $12 million, claiming he was discriminated against because he is an Arab and a Muslim.

Ayman Al-Hendy says in a federal lawsuit that the school recruited him to help snag a research grant from the National Institutes of Health totaling $21 million.

Al-Hendy, who is a licensed gynecologist, says he was removed from his role as principal researcher on the grant so the school could put a black doctor in his place.

Meharry is a historically black school. Al-Hendy alleges that the school wanted a black doctor as the lead researcher. The professor also claims that faculty members made disparaging comments about Muslims and Arabs.

A spokeswoman for Meharry said school officials would not comment on pending litigation.