Catholic high school bars hijab

National Catholic Reporter, Sept 12, 2003 by Dennis Coday

CLEVELAND -- Regina High School has barred a returning senior from wearing her Muslim headscarf, or hijab, because it violates the Catholic school's dress code.

"I feel very bad about this situation. I've agonized over it," said Notre Dame Sr. Maureen Burke, Regina's principal for 12 years. "Amal is a wonderful young woman. The family is very fine. ... But the uniform issue is very important to who we are as a Catholic school."

The Regina handbook includes a sentence reading, "No hats, no bandannas or head wraps are permitted." Burke explained: "The purpose of the uniform is to bring everybody together, not to be distracted by self-expression."

"I was in shock. I didn't understand," said Amal, 17. "All along, they gave me a room to pray in. They asked me questions about Islam. They always accepted me for who I was. Now they have decided it is against school policy to wear my hijab."

Following a public outcry against the hijab ban, Burke said the school would review the policy.