Press Room

Press Releases

DOJ Intervenes to Protect Civil Rights of Muslim Student in Oklahoma

Posted on Thursday April 1, 2004

Washington— The Arab American Institute welcomes today’s decision by the Department of Justice to intervene in a lawsuit to protect the civil rights of a young Muslim American student to wear the traditional Muslim headscarf, or hijab. The young woman, who is currently in the sixth grade, was suspended twice from Benjamin Franklin Science Academy in Muskogee, Oklahoma because, according to school officials, the headscarf violated the school’s dress code prohibiting hats, bandanas, or jacket hoods inside the building.

In a statement released by the DOJ, Assistant Attorney General Alexander Acosta said, “We certainly respect local school systems’ authority to set dress standards, and otherwise regulate their students, but such rules cannot come at the cost of constitutional liberties. Religious discrimination has no place in American schools.” The Department of Justice filed both an official complaint and a motion to intervene in the private litigation. The case is cited as a violation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees citizens equal protection under the law.

“Today the Department of Justice demonstrated its commitment to religious tolerance and equal protection under the law for all Americans regardless of religion or ethnicity. This is a major litigation stand that will send the message that any form of discrimination will not be tolerated by this Administration,” said AAI Chairman George Salem.