Girl Kicked Out Of School For Wearing Muslim Scarf

[FishForLunch]

POSTED: 6:18 p.m. EDT August 28, 2003

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- A local teen was about to enter her senior year at South Euclid's Regina Catholic High School but she got kicked out because of her Muslim headscarf. NewsChannel5's Joe Pagonakis reported that Amal Jamal, 17, was told that wearing the headpiece to class is in direct violation of the uniform dress code. The school dress code specifically states that students are not allowed to wear hats, head wraps or bandannas. School officials said they would not make an exception for the teen. So far, the student and the school have not been able to reach a compromise. Amal's family has made no official comment on the situation, but has hired an attorney. Many people think the school should re-examine the situation. A similar incident occurred recently at Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio. There was a big debate over whether a boy could wear a turban to class, but the school ended up allowing him to do so. Regina officials have not yet release an official response. Because Regina is a private school, it can lawfully enforce any dress code it wants to, NewsChannel5 reported.

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I bet the ACLU will be knocking on Amal's door to defend her soon.