Tweet
Muslim woman sues US firm over hijab
Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:0AM
Hani Khan
A Californian Muslim woman has sued American retailer Abercrombie & Fitch for firing her for refusing to remove her religious headscarf while at work.
Hani Khan, a former stockroom worker in California took federal court action against the clothing retailer for illegally firing her after she insisted on wearing her hijab, the Associated Press reported.
"Growing up in this country where the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion, I felt let down," said Khan, adding that "this case is about principles, the right to be able to express your religion freely and be able to work in this country."
Khan, 20, says that a district manager and human resources manager asked her to remove her hijab during work hours. After refusing the request, Khan was suspended, and then fired four months into the job.
Khan says she was hired wearing her hijab by a manager at the company's Hollister Co. store at the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo, and that the manager told wearing her head scarf would be alright as long as she wore it in company colors.
This case is not the first employment discrimination charge against the company's so-called “look policy,” which some say encourages the company to hire mostly white, young, and athletic-looking people.
Back in 2009, another federal lawsuit was filed against Abercrombie in Oklahoma by job applicant Samantha Elauf, who was 17 at the time. Elauf also says she was rejected the job because of her headscarf.
Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:0AM
Hani Khan
A Californian Muslim woman has sued American retailer Abercrombie & Fitch for firing her for refusing to remove her religious headscarf while at work.
Hani Khan, a former stockroom worker in California took federal court action against the clothing retailer for illegally firing her after she insisted on wearing her hijab, the Associated Press reported.
"Growing up in this country where the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion, I felt let down," said Khan, adding that "this case is about principles, the right to be able to express your religion freely and be able to work in this country."
Khan, 20, says that a district manager and human resources manager asked her to remove her hijab during work hours. After refusing the request, Khan was suspended, and then fired four months into the job.
Khan says she was hired wearing her hijab by a manager at the company's Hollister Co. store at the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo, and that the manager told wearing her head scarf would be alright as long as she wore it in company colors.
This case is not the first employment discrimination charge against the company's so-called “look policy,” which some say encourages the company to hire mostly white, young, and athletic-looking people.
Back in 2009, another federal lawsuit was filed against Abercrombie in Oklahoma by job applicant Samantha Elauf, who was 17 at the time. Elauf also says she was rejected the job because of her headscarf.
Comment