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Muslim headscarves allowed in Tennessee school
Muslim headscarves allowed in Tennessee schoolApparently, Separation of State and Religion only applies to Christians and Jews. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — A public high school changed its dress code to allow religious headscarves after a national civil rights group for Muslims complained to the principal on behalf of a student. A spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Emily Smith, 18, a senior at Chattanooga's East Ridge High School, wore her headscarf, or hijab, on campus for the first time Thursday. Smith said that although friends and a few teachers offered congratulations, "I wanted to keep it as low-key as possible." Khadija Athman, civil rights manager for the Washington, D.C.-based council, said the group sent the school principal a letter Jan. 6, three days after the student e-mailed the council asking about her rights. The letter said that as a Muslim, the student is "required to cover her hair in public. Ms. Smith stated that despite numerous efforts to explain to you the importance of the headscarf in her faith, you always found an excuse to hinder her." The letter said religious headscarves are protected by the Constitution and laws against discrimination in a public school. Rick Smith, an assistant superintendent for Hamilton County schools, said the school had banned all head wear, but the principal agreed to allow Emily Smith's hijab after attorneys were consulted. "This particular item was a little different because it is a religious garment," Rick Smith said. Emily Smith said she first requested permission to wear the headscarf in August. Posted by: Anonymous4724 2005-01-14 |
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