Pupil seeks right to Muslim dress

A 15-YEAR-OLD girl in Britain yesterday launched a bid for the legal right to wear strict Muslim dress in the classroom.

The test case, which could affect schools across the country, was brought by Shabina Begum, who has been out of the school since September 2002.

She was sent home after arriving for classes in the jilbab, a long, flowing gown covering all her body except hands and face.

But lawyers for the head teacher and governors of Denbigh High School, Luton, raised fears at the High Court in London that a win for her could cause divisions among pupils.

Some Muslim girls might be regarded as “better Muslims” than others, a judge was told.

After a day-long hearing, Mr Justice Bennett reserved judgment and is expected to hand it down within the next few weeks.

Shabina’s solicitor-advocate, Yvonne Spencer, argued that the school’s ban on her attire amounted to “constructive exclusion” and breached domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights.

It was “a denial of her right to education and right to manifest her religious beliefs”, Ms Spencer said.

But Simon Birks, for the school, said Shabina had not been excluded but chosen to stay away.

Although the school was 80% Muslim, he said no others had chosen to wear the jilbab. Muslim girls could wear trousers, skirts or a shalwar kameez, consisting of trousers and a tunic, to meet Islamic dress requirements.