British Muslim girl wins key court case over religious dress in school

AFP, March, 2005

LONDON (AFP) — A British Muslim girl won a long legal battle to force her school to let her wear traditional full-length Islamic dress in class, a case reflecting similar debates elsewhere in Europe.

In a verdict with potentially far-reaching implications, the High Court in London said that Shabina Begum, 16, had been unfairly excluded from the school for wearing the garment known as the jilbab.

Denbigh High School in Luton, north of London, had also denied Begum -- who was represented by Cherie Blair, the lawyer wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair -- the right to practise her religious beliefs, the court ruled Wednesday.

"Today's decision is a victory for all Muslims who wish to preserve their identity and values despite prejudice and bigotry," Begum,...