Diamante Posted March 2, 2005 LONDON (Reuters) - A 15-year-old Muslim girl has won the right to wear full Islamic dress at school in the latest European case pitting the religious rights of minority communities against Western ways of life. Widening a gulf between Britain and continental Europe on the issue, the Court of Appeal upheld Shabina Begum's case against her school's refusal to let her wear a jilbab, which covers the whole body except for hands and face. Speaking outside court, Begum, of Bangladeshi origin, said she was a victim of what she called a general vilification of Islam since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. "As a young woman growing up in post-9/11 Britain, I have witnessed a great deal of bigotry from the media, politicians and legal officials," Begum said outside court. "This bigotry resulted from my choice to wear a piece of cloth ... It is amazing that in the so-called free world I have to fight to wear this Islamic dress." The ruling, which delighted local Muslim groups, contrasted with France's controversial stand on the same issue. Last year, France banned all conspicuous religious clothing or symbols in state schools, including Muslim headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses. Some German states have barred Muslim teachers in state schools from wearing headscarves. Belgium plans to ban overt religious symbols for civil servants dealing with the public. The European Court of Human Rights ruled last year that Turkey, the only majority Muslim country with a secular constitution, could legally ban Islamic headscarves at its universities to defend public order. "HOPE FOR MILLIONS" The three-judge panel found the High Court, in rejecting Begum's case last year, had denied her rights under European human rights legislation. "The school failed to appreciate that by its action it was infringing on the claimant's Article 9 right to manifest her religion," said Judge Scott Baker. Begum started at Denbigh High School in Luton in September 2000, and at first wore a shalwar kameez -- consisting of trousers and tunic -- which school rules allowed. But as her interest in Islam deepened, she returned in September 2002 with a jilbab and was told to go home and change. "Our belief in our faith is the one thing that makes sense in a world gone mad. A world where Muslim women, from Uzbekistan to Turkey, are feeling the brunt of policies guided by western governments," Begum added in her statement on Wednesday. "I sincerely hope, therefore, that my small victory -- to gain an education -- brings hope to millions of Muslim women round the world." The main group for the country's 1.6 million-strong Islamic community -- the Muslim Council of Britain -- welcomed the decision. "Those that believe and choose to wear the jilbab and consider it to be part of their faith's requirement for modest attire should be respected," council head Iqbal Sacranie said. The High Court had last year rejected Begum's argument that her education was suffering and her human rights were breached as a result. A judge said she had always had the option of attending school in clothes under school rules. The school, where 80 percent of pupils are Muslim, said it had lost the case on a "technicality" of rights law. Source Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Passion_4_Fashion Posted March 2, 2005 thats very good news! thumps up for the sister who didn't give up fighting for her religion thnx 4 sharing it diamante Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamante Posted March 2, 2005 ^ Hopefully France will follow suit eh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RendezVous Posted March 2, 2005 >>>>>Western freedom is to be tested soon...if they can't allow a muslim lady to wear her Hijaab..Then there is no reason to tell us they are democratic... Otherwise most european Countries and The US/CANADA group has started seeing the reality of ISLAM growth in their societies..ISLAM is about freedom...On a limited scale..Tilted towards believing in your God Allah as though you are seeing Him... If you cam't HIM...HE sees you.Whether aad asturaantahay or otherwise..You will be answerable to Him and Him alone.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
