Muslim Girl Back on Basketball Court After Being Benched for Wearing Headscarf

I think that every person who is in this country and doesn't believe in religious freedom for everybody, including muslims is a traitor to the principles of the founding fathers and should go back to whatever country their forefathers came from

ew shawneen. your mad rude. go read the bill of right and see why exactly she has the rights to wear the hijab . NOBODY told your husband to go fight in the war. that was your decisions, so suck it up and stop being RACIST

@shawneen obviously you are either not from Maryland or are just plain ignorant. here in MD a 'Jewish Jordan" a few years back was allowed to wear a yalmaka (sp?) and would not play on days of sabbath. he was highly looked upon for his conviction and beliefs. so this is not a "muslin" thing. your thing is racism. you obviously know nothing of the legal system. laws are expressly there to protect the minority from the majority. You being a perfect example for those reasons.

If she was permitted to wear garb to reflect *her* religion/culture, then every other child should have shown up with something representing theirs. Being Irish, I should be permitted to wear a huge celtic cross necklace. Or a kilt...etc... Since the safety issue was ignored for her, then it should be ingnored for everyone else. Would they allow someone from Africa to play sports with their body jewelry? Like the neck rings, discs in the ears/lips, nose jewelry, etc..? In short.....if you allow it for one, then you have to allow it for others. If she wants to play sports like every other American kid in school, then she needs to assimilate and follow the same rules.

Excuse me but it it not racism to notice that one culture is given preferance because they go to the media anytime they have to follow the rules. Her head garment it NOT a RELIGIOUS garment. And religions the last time I checked especially anything having to do with christianity is NOT allowed in public school. So why can she get an exemption for a NONRELIGIOUS threat? That is my point, she was probably only given the exemption because se called a "religious foul" But if you go to public school and get caught praying you go to the principals office (happened to me) but if a muslim wants to "pray" during the school day they MUST be granted that "right" by the school. Why does one religion get special treatment? the public school system is a goventment run entity so if one religion can not be present NO religion should be present. And if her get up or attire does not fit the uniform or poses a danger then she either needs to be sit out or comply.

Hijab is a religious garment. Part of her religion is to maintain a modest appearance around males. While some take the chance to not wear the garment as modesty is sparse in this country according to tradition in muslim nations (nations refering to groups of people not the idea of state).

She is chosing to follow her religion and her right to freedom should not be infringed.

Also separation of church and state involves the public school itself not being able to initiate prayer or religious study, not banning religion from school, there are prayer groups inside school and will continue as long as religion hangs on.

From my experience, people who wear hijabs also wear a covering underneath as to keep the hijab in place, having the tear-away hijab is a great idea and should be purchased by the parents as to not have to assume legal responsibility for any accidents.

There are people who wear headbands and do-rags. Do-rags and hair touching the shoulder hold the same risk as a hijab and that also should be evaluated by the referees and rules should be put in place, instead of best judgement, which no one really has anymore.

Where does it say she was born in the US? It doesn't. That's not the point though. It is a common misconception that the hijab is a religious article of clothing. It is not. It is purely a cultural thing and Muslims themselves cannot even agree on the hijab.

What's wrong with you people? If I can't pray at a school event because it offends someone's religion, she damn sure can't wear that religious scarf. Make up your minds; either we are or are not going to allow religion in schools, you can't have it both ways against each other

she DOES have the same right..the right to play basketball in the UNIFORM provided..no sympathy here either..I dont care if it was a jewish boy..he wouldnt be wearing their traditional head piece on the court! If you want to play the game..you HAVE to follow the rules..wearing an offical uniform IS the rule..unless she has a medical condition, she needs to be IN UNIFORM! I have seen military women get WAIVERS for tatoos on their necks! and men not granted the same pass..its totally not ok to pick and choose who has to follow rules and who doesn't..especially when I can totally see its only enforced on those who wont cry prejudice..so whats next?...My child can play in her birthday suit if we happen to be nudists?!?!?! Give me a break!

D- I so agree with you. It's ALL or NONE!!!! Stop telling people you cant pray, have bible study or say the word God in public schools but allow any other "so called" religious items/ clothing/ etc.
FREEDOM FOR ALL includes the Christians!

That is a great point Dorothy. If prayers are not allowed than neither is the hijab. Protecting one groups rights and not all rights is against the 14th Amendment.

Some people are so ignorant it's ridiculous! Hijab or headscarf is not a cultural thing at all, it is purely religious and if you think otherwise then you obviously do not know what you are talking about and are better off not saying something which makes you look more stupid than you probably are.

This is actually in reply to Dorothy - You can pray all you want at a school event. The school can not require you to pray, which means a public school can not officially start a school event with a pray. It is not that God is not allowed at public schools, it is that the public schools can not promote God or religion. That is a very big difference.

Dorothy, and others. You can pray in school, you can read the bible (it might still be in the library under fiction), if students wish to gather and have a bible study on school property, they are in fact allowed to do that as long as it does not affect their schedule of classes. What is NOT allowed is the teaching of one religion over others, mandatory prayer, etc. Her Hijab is equal to those who wear crosses (which is also allowed in schools). If you child wishes to say grace in school before eating their lunch, nobody would stop them. you are confusing the actual Separation of Church and State laws with your own personal beliefs.

The volleyball team at our school wears uniforms (very short shorts) that our faith considers immodest. My daughters just don't play. I don't try to change the rules to fit my beliefs. I am really surprised that covering her head is such a big deal when she is probably wearing shorts playing in front of men. Sounds like she is doing it for the publicity.

Dorothy - Finally someone hit the nail on the head !!!! If my kid can't pray in school or my town hall can't have a nativity scene in front of it then why should some othe religeon get to be displayed in public . It's not predjudice it's equality . It's absolutely ridiculous .

This reminds me of that incident when a muslim woman was crying predjudice because they wouldn't let her get her license picture with her full face covered !! It's nuts !!!

Religious issues aside- (where they belong incidently) and no offense to the young lady or muslims at-large, when you play on a team, whether it be school or pro, there is generally a uniform, which everyone is required to wear so everyone on the team is-- um-well, uniform...? WHAT'S religion got to do with it?! Zip. Nada. Nothing. And WHY would a head scarf -by any name- have a place on a sports team unless it's part of their uniform, which it's not. I was never allowed to wear any jewelry when playing a sport- no neclace, no bracelet, no earrings for all the obvious reasons. It didn't matter whether it was a cross around my neck, little stars of David dangling from my ears, or my H.S. graduation ring. Oh, but those things are optional, you say? Well, so is the hijab. The fact is, it is NOT required of muslim women anywhere but in those middle eastern countries, where state law is based on strict interpretation of muslim law, such as in Saudi Arabia or under the taliban in Afghanistan. In the United States, while the Bill of Rights protects our right to wear crosses, stars, jibabs and the like- we are also allowed to determine our own rules for private clubs and sports teams. That being said, the fact that wearing a hijab is a cultural CHOICE then, makes this an all around moot point from where I stand. When you play for a team, don't YOU WEAR WHAT THE TEAM WEARS? Period. For those that would argue the point further, what of teams like the Yankees, which require its players to be clean cut & clean-shaven? Should they be forced to change their rules if a muslim player wanted to keep his beard? Also a cultural choice, by the way. WHEN does it end? (And no, I'm not a Yankee fan) This ongoing banter is just a ridiculous attempt for self-righteous and ignorant ppl to find a way to make an issue where one doesn't exist. Give it a break already. Being on a TEAM has NOTHING to do with your RELIGION. You're on the team? wear the uniform- the way it is- Please. Just stop already and find something more important to whine about.